kingdom grace

We are busy celebrating the highschool graduation of our second son. (Yes, I did this last year too.)

An important post by Jason Evans about the spiritual formation of children.

Larry Chouinard. If he writes it, I will read it.

Jordon on planting missional ministries:

“There is a bigger question that we don’t often address and that is the unspoken idea something has to support a salary (often of clergy) to be worthwhile. Until we figure out a way to fight our addiction to a paycheck from the church, the mission of many churches will be to provide employment for pastors. Are we courageous enough to take a risk knowing that it probably won’t pay off but because it is the right thing to do and do it in some of the poorest neighborhoods where they may be no pay off?”

Also from Jordan, The Church In An Age of Scarcity

Out of Ur about the dangers of ministry centered around a single personality aka senior pastor:

Finally, be willing to ask yourself and your church why there is an instinctual desire to elevate one pastor? Why do we put our leaders on a pedestal and then stand in horror, and sometimes amusement, when they fall? The younger generation of evangelicals seems willing to put this culture of church celebrities to death, and that may not be as unwholesome as it sounds.

Great thoughts from Kathy on community and truly seeing others

Jeff at Under the Grace posts about the tension of not fitting in the traditional church box in these posts.

Alan Knox addresses the issue in a humorous manner in A Cup o’ Joe. Oh wait, he’s talking about coffee, not church.

Lots of other great posts about revival that I didn’t get linked earlier this week:

• Scott - Church People #2
• Barb - But What Does It Matter
• Jeff - Jaded? Or Just Hungry For More
• Eric - Let’s Do A Little Dance…A Party With You
• Cynthia - Monday Morning Mentations

I mentioned last week that my girls gave me the latest James Blunt CD, so I’ve been rocking out in my minivan all week to lyrics like

Why don’t you give me some love
I’ve taken a shipload of drugs

Oops, I’ve been singing it wrong. Good thing I’m usually alone in my van.

Apparently my family doesn’t share my taste in music. As I demanded they listen tried to share the experience with them, here are their responses:

• My boys: “It’s not country.” (What do they know, listening to drivel like, “All my exes live in Texas”?!)
• My girls: “He’s so weird.” (Apparently James isn’t a teen idol.)
• My husband: “Music to milk cows by.” (What the heck does that mean?!)