Kingdom Grace has been blogging again on Church as Business. A few thoughts.
The corporate model of church permeates the American scene much more than it does here in the UK. There are few, if any, mega-churches over here. That said, most of the people Grace quotes are making the connection between business and building-based churches [...]

Kingdom Grace blogged the other day a very honest post about her current faith journey, and how it is taking to the very edges of organised church. A heartfelt, searching piece was quickly followed by a long (and growing) list of encouraging comments. Its really worth a read.
I’ve already ‘stuck my oar in’ in that [...]

Last night, a friend was telling me about their theory that Megachurches develop and thrive because they provide a forum for social mixing. Essentially my friend was saying that churches become large because they provide opportunities for boys to meet girls (and vice versa).
Ok, it’s an incredibly cynical argument, but somewhat compelling (in a twisted [...]

“…believe that God is not confined inside a systematic theology book, that numbers do not equate “success”, and that God is offended by the pursuit of the Great Commission when it violates our call to live out the Great Commandment.”
Another great quote, again from the comments on Emerging Grace’s blog, this time by Gary Means. [...]

Just found this guy: isn’t he great?

Which I guess followed on from these…

“My lesson is that I shouldn’t want to go “there” to find my spirituality, but if I can’t find it “here” (with my local community) then I’m looking for some inspiration other than the Spirit who should, I would think, be working in everyone around me.”
The quote is by Paddy O, on a post by [...]

Emerging Grace has just pointed towards this great post from author and emerging congregation leader Rick McKinley. I’d not heard of Rick before, but his post is balanced and full of grace.
Rick essentially argues that we resist our impulses to theologically categorise the emerging church, giving it space to grow into maturity before we make [...]

A very good friend and I were having an in depth discussion last night based around the (somewhat ambiguous) question “what is church for?”
The pastor of our church had been asked this question and had answered the following:
“It’s easier to love God, love each other and love the world in a group, than on our [...]

20″My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent [...]

Just read this beautiful article from the 24-7 Prayer website.
I want my church/life to be like this…!