Glorious Things
"Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God" (Psalm 87:3). I am traveling a bit this spring. In April, I was in Mexico to fellowship with the church and our missionary colleagues in that country. In May I … (read more)
Thinking Non-Humanly
"From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view…" (2 Corinthians 5:16) Lent is the season of earnest vows and solemn moods. It is the season of mid-week services – perhaps the only time during … (read more)
Ash Wednesday
“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’” (Matthew 16:24) On Ash Wednesday I participated in a centuries-old Christian ritual, still practiced in my … (read more)
Almost Fast Enough
Recently I came across an encouraging headline statistic. The unevangelized world is shrinking. In the year 2000, the overall number of the unevangelized decreased by approximately four million souls… Beneath the headline, however, the story becomes more complicated. The "overall … (read more)
Non-Professional Missionaries
Epiphany is my favorite season of the year. Maybe it is the calm that appeals to me, after the rush of Christmas. Maybe it is the hopeful beginning of a new year, or the promise of longer days and (eventually) … (read more)
Now What?
“That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you… (1 John 1:3). The Moravian Church, dating to Nicholaus von Zinzendorf, has developed a simple yet powerful doctrinal formula. It is called the “Easter Litany.” It is a … (read more)
The Heart of Mission
Our Handbook concludes with a section entitled “the heart of mission.” Let me conclude this series of articles with excerpts. Devotion to Jesus The heart of mission begins with devotion to Jesus. We are invited, graciously, to become his slaves. … (read more)
Reformation Children
“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel. I see it as the very power of God working for the salvation of everyone who believes it, both Jew and Greek. I see in it God’s plan for imparting righteousness to … (read more)
Word and Deed
“So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.” (1 Thessalonians 2:8) We are a … (read more)
Everyone A Priest…
“God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere….Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of … (read more)