From Control to Cultivate

In October I had the privilege to share a brief session at the "Multiply" conference in Colorado Springs. It was a conference with pastors, church-planters, missionaries, baristas and all sorts of people living on mission where God has placed them. I thought I would share my transcript with you from my talk during "paradigm sessions" which are 5 minute talks about how God has shifted our thinking in ministry. 

Bloom Update: WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!!

Hi everyone!

We write to you in the midst of preparation for a long winter in the mountains. Our wood chopping operation is in full swing (pun most definitely intended) and the snow is starting to fly. We are putting the snow tires on the car and recently our landlord swapped out our lawn mower for a snow blower, solidifying the reality that while it has been a wonderful summer and fall, winter is now knocking on our door. There is something refreshing about the rhythm of the seasons in our rural way of life.

Maybe we Need a Different Kind of Wisdom

As Christians the Gospel and God’s word shapes our worldview. It provides perspective on purpose, morality and daily life – or at least that is the hope, right? With that there is bound to moments in which we butt heads with shifting cultural perspective, whether it is a moral, philosophical, theological or political difference. So, the question is, how do we respond to a culture that seems to undermine some of our most deeply held beliefs?

Update - July 2015

       

       A couple of months ago Suz and I announced that we felt called to stay in Clark and continue our ministry here with North Routt Community Church. We wanted to give you an update on the church and how things are progressing here in the mountains. So let me walk through a few notable updates and share some events, pictures and happenings of our life and our wonderful rural mountain church.

Ministry in an Increasingly Post-Christian Culture

Caveat – I am a young pastor and, believe it or not, I am fully aware I am not an expert. This is not a space for me to get preachy and offer advice to others in ministry but to present concepts and ask questions that have been important to me and ones I have been wrestling with during my experience in ministry in a post-Christian culture.  

America’s ever-changing religious landscape

One of the fastest growing religious groups in America is the “nones” (not nuns). While it is hardly a “religious” category it is a growing percentage of Americans who are choosing not to attach themselves to any religious group. This group of nones includes atheists, agnostics and what I describe as the “mehs” which are the folks that when asked if they think religion has any importance or bearing on their life they respond with something along the lines of “Meh.” This is a group that does not necessarily see the value of ascribing or aligning themselves to a particular religious belief system or worldview.  So, they simply don’t.