J. C.

I am to be.

[Lesslie Newbigin @LesslieNewbigin]

We do not find Paul concerning himself with the size of churches or with questions about their growth. His primary concern is with their faithfulness, with the integrity of their witness.

[Sharon Hodde Miller @SHoddeMiller]

Jesus reserved some of his harshest criticisms for the Pharisees, and then appointed a Pharisee to be one of his greatest leaders.

In other words, Jesus’s rebukes were not foreclosures. He was driven not by cynicism, or contempt, but redemption.

[Rev. Benjamin Cremer @Brcremer]

If anyone knows who made this, let me know.

[Diane Langberg, PhD @DianeLangberg]

Our Lord cracked a whip and turned tables over because in what was meant to be God’s house and a safe place for His sheep was a place of exploitation of the lambs. They were being robbed of a refuge in the house of the God.

[Lesslie Newbigin @LesslieNewbigin]

A church that sees the cross of Jesus as the central event of history can never identify any political order with the reign of God.

[Carlos A. Rodríguez @CarlosHappyNPO]

Why try to force individuals into your version of sexual morality (based on a few Bible verses) but not fully advocate for the most marginalized and vulnerable (ignoring more than 2,000 Bible verses)?

[Lesslie Newbigin @LesslieNewbigin]

We are called both to preach and to listen, and our preaching will be a mere beating of the air if we are not listening. But, we have good news to tell, a gospel to proclaim. It is entrusted to us. If we fail to proclaim it, we are unfaithful stewards.

[Lesslie Newbigin @LesslieNewbigin]

When numerical growth is taken as the criterion of judgment on the church, we are transported with alarming ease into the world of the military campaign or the commercial sales drive.

[Walter Brueggemann @WaltBrueggemann]

We are a rule-trusting, rule-making, rule obeying community. But all of our trusting, making, and obeying rules are in the service of our two true loves.

https://t.co/kQ5M2LwhVS

[Walter Brueggemann @WaltBrueggemann]

A quick glance at our society will indicate that we have much evidence of “the triumph of the unfit,” most especially if “fit” is understood as a capacity for generosity, forgiveness, and hospitality.

https://t.co/d6UafIWQrx

[Walter Brueggemann @WaltBrueggemann]

"Slow" is the speed of neighborly church, slow enough to notice, slow enough to identify with, slow enough to interrupt our agenda for a neighbor in need.

https://t.co/3Qm8gDW6bn

[Alan Hirsch @alanhirsch]

We must unlearn the constellations to see the stars
~ Jack Gilbert
#metanoia

[Lesslie Newbigin @LesslieNewbigin]

Only half of the pastor’s work is to gather the people together for worship. The other half is to send them back to their daily tasks equipped to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. If we forget this second part, the other can be positively dangerous.

[Greg Boyd @greg_boyd]

Read this remarkable book with an open mind and heart, and it will not leave you unchanged.

[Lesslie Newbigin @LesslieNewbigin]

When numerical growth is taken as the criterion of judgment on the church, we are transported with alarming ease into the world of the military campaign or the commercial sales drive.

[David Brooks @DavidBrooks224]

The most important story about why Americans have become sad and alienated and rude, I believe, is also the simplest: We inhabit a society in which people are no longer trained in how to treat others with kindness and consideration. https://t.co/HzHsAvfdBo

[Chad Bird @birdchadlouis]

The Beating Heart of Psalm 23

Psalm 23 has 55 Hebrew words in it. What’s fascinating is what forms the numerical center of this psalm.

At the heart of Psalm 23 are the words, “For Thou art with me.”

There are 26 Hebrew words before that phrase, and 26 words after it.

What’s more, in the verses leading up to that phrase, the poet speaks of God in the third person: “he” does this and “he” does that.

But when we get to this numerical center, the psalmist transitions into speaking to God directly, in the second person: for “Thou” art with me, “Thy” rod and staff, “Thou” dost prepare.

The abiding presence of the Shepherd with us—whether we’re in the valley of the shadow of death or surrounded by enemies—is the beating heart of the poem.

[Julie Roys @reachjulieroys]

I don't know this guy, but his post is 🎯
If only more disgraced pastors would take it to heart.