Blog - Page 19 of 318 - John H Armstrong

What’s to Celebrate in the Ecumenical Movement?

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:13:41-05:00March 6th, 2015|Categories: ACT 3, Missional-Ecumenism, Unity of the Church|

Several years ago the late Brother Jeffrey Gros, FSC, the keynote speaker at National Workshop on Christian Unity in Arlington, Virginia, lifted up five things for which to be grateful in the church unity movement today.

At the top of the list, Gros, who was then professor of Church history at Memphis Theological Seminary (Tennessee), put the Methodist Statement of Association with the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ). The JDDJ, signed on October 31, 1999, in Augsburg, Germany, represents a formal agreement between the Catholic Church and Lutheran World Federation on the historically divisive issue of justification or how we are saved.

At World Methodist Conference in Seoul, Korea, delegates voted acceptance of the JDDJ as their statement, too, in a Common Affirmation. The result is a unique theological agreement in which a third partner has joined with two partners already in agreement.

Cardinal Walter Kasper, former President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, called it “a historic day”, and Dr. […]

Sanctuary: An ABC Chicago Television Program on ACT3

By John Armstrong|2015-03-04T20:24:37-06:00March 5th, 2015|Categories: ACT 3, Current Affairs, Missional-Ecumenism, The Church, Unity of the Church|

A few weeks ago I learned that ABC Chicago wanted to air a thirty-minute program on Sunday, March 22, at 11:30 a.m. on Channel 7. The really cool thing is that this will not cost us a penny and it will help us spread the flame of missional-ecumenism widely in the region and beyond. After the show airs we should be able to show the program on the Internet. For now, if you live in Chicago plan to watch the program when it airs or set your DVR to Channel 7 (ABC) on March 22 at 11:30 a.m. and watch it later. Tell your friends as well. Please pray that this message will spread like a great virus throughout the hearts of God’s people in Chicago and beyond. This is truly a remarkable providence.

Sameness vs. Individuality

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:13:41-05:00March 4th, 2015|Categories: ACT 3, Culture, Current Affairs, Discipleship, Leadership, The Church|

It is a healthy development to see growing concern for community and life together in the West. At the same time the hunger for life together can, and does, create some deep problems that are rarely talked about in the right way. My friend Monte Wilson recently captured my concern in a post that I believe is very important for Christians who have experienced deep brokenness and desire to be enfolded into a deeply Christian family or small group/church.

Ultimately everything depends on the quality of the individual, but our fatally short-sighted age thinks only in terms of large numbers and mass organizations…
― C.G. Jung, The Undiscovered Self

Sameness – Where every one looks alike, talks alike, believes the same (what they are told to believe), goes along to get along; is brought about by the belief that the judgment of others is more important and more valuable then his or her own evaluations; lives based on fear and self-distrust. Synonyms – Cookie-cutter, boring, mindless, asleep at the wheel, dishonest, robots

Individuality – The product of a relentless pursuit of truth; the result […]

A Short Documentary: The ACT3 Conversation on Christian Unity

By John Armstrong|2015-03-01T18:40:59-06:00March 2nd, 2015|Categories: ACT 3, American Evangelicalism, Current Affairs, Evangelism, Missional Church, Missional-Ecumenism, Personal, Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, The Church, The Future, Unity of the Church|

Last Monday (February 23) I reported to you about the ACT3 Network Conversation on Christian Unity that I conducted with Fr. Robert Barron on Monday, February 9, at St. Procopius Abbey in Lisle, Illinois.

One of the very best ways to see and feel such an event is to watch a documentary-style report. Our ACT3 videographer, Tim Frakes, once again made an extremely good (short) video about this gathering. The entire dialogue will be available very soon on YouTube broadcast. For now please share this documentary video with your friends and encourage them to help ACT3 reach the church and her leaders with this vital message of missional-ecumenism.

Ft. Thomas Baima on the Power of Christian Unity

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:13:41-05:00February 25th, 2015|Categories: ACT 3, Missional-Ecumenism, My Christian Unity Story, Personal, Roman Catholicism, Unity of the Church|

The Very Reverend Dr. Thomas A. Baima is a full professor of systematic theology and Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Graduate School at the University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein Seminary. In 2012 Tom was elevated to Vicar of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the Archdiocese while retaining his duties at the seminary. He is one of my dearest and most treasured Catholic friends. When I did my first public dialogue on Catholicism and evangelicalism, more than a decade ago, Tom was my first partner in this new venture for ACT3. I learned so much from him that evening in Naperville as we faced a large crowd and answered many questions. After that evening our friendship quickly flourished.

For Tom both ecumenical and interreligious work is rooted in ecclesiology and soteriology. Jesus the unique Savior, united with his Body, the Church carries out the Father’s mission to the world. This mission is universal. Tom’s particular focus is to establish relationships through which misunderstandings and divisions might be lessened and room created for the movement of the Holy Spirit to call Christians to […]

Fr. Robert Barron on the Importance of Christian Unity

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:13:41-05:00February 24th, 2015|Categories: ACT 3, American Evangelicalism, Missional-Ecumenism, My Christian Unity Story, Personal, Roman Catholicism, The Church, Unity of the Church|

Yesterday, I gave you a report on the recent dialogue that I did with my friend Fr. Robert Barron. Last fall Fr. Barron was interviewed by ACT3 on his ideas about Christian unity when we had our Lausanne Catholic-Evangelical Conversation at Mundelein. Today I publish a portion of that interview. The timing for this video is perfect since I spoke of Fr. Barron’s work yesterday and our dialogue at St. Procopius Abbey on February 9.

The entire video presentation of the February 9 event will be available here very soon. We will also have a three-minute PBS-type documentary video that captures the highlights and news of that special evening. This too will be published. Please share these interviews as widely as you would like. I believe they are a unique witness to God’s grace and the work of John 17 in our midst.

An Evening for Ecumenical Conversation @ St. Procopius Abbey

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:13:42-05:00February 23rd, 2015|Categories: ACT 3, American Evangelicalism, Biblical Theology, Love, Missional-Ecumenism, Personal, Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, The Church, Unity of the Church|

On Monday, February 9, St. Procopius Abbey (Lisle, IL) hosted a wonderful evening gathering dedicated to Catholic-Evangelical ecumenism. Several hundred guests, representing scores of Catholic and Protestant parishes throughout the Chicago area, gathered to listen to two long-time friends engage in a ninety-minute conversation about Christian unity. Taking their cue from the current actions, and written initiatives, of Pope Francis the two conversation partners addressed the possibilities and problems inherent in this new ecumenism. The Very Rev. Dr. Robert Barron, Rector/President of University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, and the Rev. Dr. John H. Armstrong, a Reformed Church minister and adjunct professor of evangelism at Wheaton College. Dr Armstrong also serves as the founder and president of the ACT3 Network in nearby Carol Stream, Illinois, who sponsored the event. Both Fr. Barron and Rev. Armstrong shared personal stories and answered questions. The dialogue was moderated by Rev. Dr. Chris Castaldo, Lead Pastor of New Covenant Church in Naperville. Dr. Castaldo also moderated the Catholic-Evangelical Dialogue between Dr. Armstrong and Francis Cardinal George, hosted by Wheaton […]

National Workshop on Christian Unity 2015

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:13:42-05:00February 18th, 2015|Categories: ACT 3, American Evangelicalism, Current Affairs, Missional-Ecumenism, Unity of the Church|

Last year I mentioned speaking at a plenary session at the National Workshop on Christian Unity in New Mexico. This year the workshop is in Charlotte, North Carolina, April 22-25. I will be helping the leadership team establish a new partnership group within this historic event. This new group is called “Ancient-Future Faith Evangelical Partners.” I hope that some of you will join me/us for this wonderful event. Here is the link to see the program and sign up: http://nwcu.org/2015-nwcu-highlights/

I will be speaking on Tuesday evening at CharlotteONE in the city center and attendees at the NWCU will be invited to attend this millennial gathering.

I believe one-day registration can be done on site. Make your plans now and keep me posted if you are planning to come.

The Roman Catholic and Evangelical Dialogue: Reflections on Ecumenism for the 21st Century (Video)

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:13:42-05:00February 17th, 2015|Categories: ACT 3, Missional-Ecumenism, My Christian Unity Story, Personal, Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, The Church, Unity of the Church|

The resource that we provide today is “old” but still quite useful. This dialogue took place some years ago at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. There is much here to glean but this is very long. It runs ten minutes short of two hours so only those who really enjoy this kind of dialogue will watch it in full. This was available in DVD for some years but we stopped selling it and now provide it without charge to be viewed through our ACT3 Network online resources.

The moderator is the ABC television news anchor in Chicago. The four speakers are identified at the beginning of the program.

If I look like a different person to you in this program it is because this event took place before I lost a considerable amount of unnecessary weight. Some who do not see me very often ask me, “Are you sick?” So far as I can tell I feel much better now than I did when this video was made. Enough said.

ACT3 Network Video: An Introduction to Our Mission

By John Armstrong|2021-07-02T06:13:42-05:00February 16th, 2015|Categories: ACT 3, American Evangelicalism, Current Affairs, Education, Evangelism, Love, Missional Church, Missional-Ecumenism, My Christian Unity Story, Personal, Renewal, The Church, The Future, Unity of the Church|

Last fall (2014) a friend, who is a professional videographer with solid credentials, partnered with me to make a new video. Another friend gave ACT3 a generous gift to make this new “ACT3 Introduction” video. This has been on our home page for several months but not on the blog site.

Today I am pleased to tell you that I believe this to be the best presentation of our vision and work that we’ve ever made. It gets to the point by telling a narrative that works well in relating the work of our mission. Please pass this along to your friends and please do pray for me and the growing work of ACT3.