Category Archives: Education

James Meredith: An Idiosyncratic American

Yesterday I gave an overview of James Meredith’s new book, A Mission from God. Today I follow-up that blog with reflections on the final chapter of this moving civil rights memoir. After telling about his interesting and rather eccentric life … Continue reading

Posted in America and Americanism, Books, Culture, Current Affairs, Education, Freedom, Politics, Poverty, Race and Racism, The Future | Leave a comment

The Real Threat to Personal Faith Commitment to Christ

I would argue that in America the impact of personal and social secularization is different than in virtually all other Western nations. The reason for this is because religion was never formally established in America as a function in which … Continue reading

Posted in America and Americanism, American Evangelicalism, Culture, Current Affairs, Discipleship, Education, Emergent Church, Marriage & Family, Missional Church, Protestantism, Separation of Church & State, The Church, The Future | 4 Comments

Missional-Ecumenism in Milwaukee (3)

When I visited City on a Hill, the urban Milwaukee mission center that I wrote about yesterday, I sensed the presence of God in this place instantly. The people were warm, caring and joyful. The place was clean and the … Continue reading

Posted in ACT 3, Culture, Education, Gospel/Good News, Missional Church, Missional-Ecumenism, The Church, The Future, Unity of the Church | Leave a comment

Jesus the Catechist

Many Christians react to the use of a catechism for teaching Christian doctrine. (I reacted myself until I was already a young pastor around thirty years of age!) I remember a lady in my church, speaking up in a congregational … Continue reading

Posted in Discipleship, Education, Jesus | 1 Comment

Why Theological Education Fails the Need of Our Times

My title is big and broad, I understand. I believe, simply put, that contemporary theological education is failing to produce true leaders. We teach to our level of competence and the competence of most of our best schools is to … Continue reading

Posted in Education, Pastoral Renewal, The Christian Minister/Ministry | 5 Comments

Engaging the Culture, Changing the World

The late Jewish novelist Chaim Potok, whose work I have read and treasured, said several years ago that “we live in a world of colliding maps.” Dr. Philip W. Eaton, the president of Seattle Pacific University, understands this “world of … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Education | 2 Comments

Waiting for Superman: A Critical Rethink

Yesterday, I wrote a rather laudatory review of the 2010 documentary film, Waiting for Superman. Today I want to give you my second look at the film. Why? Shortly after seeing this worthwhile film I wrote the review that you … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Current Affairs, Education | 5 Comments

Waiting for Superman: A Must See Video

Whether you realize it or not our public education system is seriously broken. Some will admit it but very few, teachers or politicians, are ready to do much about it. Myths about the real problem abound but the recently released … Continue reading

Posted in America and Americanism, Culture, Education | Leave a comment

Knox Theological Seminary: A Small Gem in a Sea of Huge Change

I had the unique privilege of teaching my course, “Unity in Christ’s Mission,” January 10-14 at Knox Theological Seminary in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. I had been to Knox many years ago to speak at a commencement service. It was a … Continue reading

Posted in Education, Leadership, The Church | 1 Comment

Becoming Aware of Our Need to Grow Spiritually

Most of us do not become truly aware of the need to grow spiritually until we are at least in our adolescence. Spirituality is not child’s play. Spiritual growth is a process, like everything else in our lives. It develops … Continue reading

Posted in Education, Spirituality | 1 Comment