Dan

I think I have had my fill of the conversation. I have been part of the Calvinist/ Anti-Calvinist/ Traditionalist/ Reformed argument dialogue, and I am making my public declaration that i'I've had enough. It's become a fruitless dialogue filled with anger and lacking in reason and civility. I am going to unpack for you exactly what I think the issue is, and then you agree or disagree, up to you. First off, the labels are not working. If you have followed my writings, you know I call myself a Wovenist. Yes, Wovenism incorporates much of Reformed soteriology. Being so, most non-Calvinists … [Read more...] about Overloaded on the Argument, so I’m Out.

In this time of year, we talk about how Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus.  Mary had a unique experience, she is the only woman in history to have a baby while being a virgin.  Mary had an incredible opportunity, but did Mary choose it?  Of course, Mary told the angel that she is the Lord's servant in the book of Luke, but Gabriel didn't really give Mary or Joseph an option.  The angel said "you will have a baby".  It wasn't an option, Mary was chosen to be the mother of the Savior.  I think so often we are in the same boat, that God assigns us, picks us, chooses us and calls us to do … [Read more...] about Mary Did you Choose?

Leadership is big new, big business and a pretty popular topic these days.  I have not been on the leadership bandwagon for one reason, we have a leader and our job is to follow Him.  I have written about being a lead follower in several places, so I won't rehash that soap box.  Today, I want to cover a few things that will keep you from being an effective leader, or lead follower or whatever you call yourself. Now great men who I highly respect often write about leadership and I don't want to take away from that.  I read Dr. Rainer's blog on leadership often, and my goal is not to make light … [Read more...] about Habits of a Less than Effective Leader

I love the Christmas season, joy and cheer for everyone except those who are upset by everything they see.  Yes, Christmas has become big business and it can be all about the "stuff" but we can't let the joy of the season be overshadowed by the anger we shouldn't be expression so loudly, especially when we focus on what the hubbub is all about.  It seems every year the Christians are upset about something, and making a point to share their anger.  I remember a call to boycott Hallmark one year because they didn't have Jesus on the Christmas cards.  Let's look at a few things we have seen … [Read more...] about Paganism, Holidays and X-Mas. Tis the Season for Angry Christians.

I haven't written anything on my idea of Woven Theology in a while, and I have watched the Calvinist/Traditionalist debate continue to roll.  I want to through this out today, most of the argument is based on "what" and I find it disturbing.  While the Calvinists have a stronger scriptural argument, the Traditionalist have some points that cannot be overlooked and ignored.  Both of these things fit together, but I am not so interested in "what" but the "why" that drives me. It's never been enough for me to know that something works, I want to know why it works.  When it comes to Salvation, I … [Read more...] about Looking for Why, A Woven Thought

I have written quite a bit about Sunday School and how Sunday School can help your church and grow your church.  It can, it can increase your church attendance, make disciples, help your children's ministry, your youth ministry, your young adult, median and senior adult ministries.  Sunday School can do awesome things, but do you have a plan?  You can do great things if you have a plan, an intentional plan that you can not only share, but communicate, execute and make work. Let me give you an example.  FAITH by Lifeway.  I love the visitation that comes with FAITH.  I am not too keen on the … [Read more...] about Do You Have Any Idea What You Are Doing?

I want to try an experiment today, let's write a blog together, sort of.  I have some questions, and I would like you to post your thoughts.  Here are the few basic rules.  First off, please react only to the questions, write your thoughts.  Let's not turn this into a fight (again).  Share what you think, use as much scripture as possible to support your argument.  Share WHY you think the way you do, give some specific reasons and rational.  Lets try to enjoy this a little, and try to learn from one another. Here we go.  Do you believe man in an unregenerate state is a free moral agent, … [Read more...] about The Reverse Blog

I read a piece from Jeff Deyo on worship, about now focus on being a worship leader, but a lead worshiper. That you shouldn't focus on making the people worship, or causing them to worship, but on worshiping yourself in a way that people can follow your lead and can worship. (http://higherpraise.com/worship/worship_beingaleadworshiper.htm) I think this applied to more than just worship, but I have become convinced beyond measure that this is exactly what Christian leadership should look like. There are so many books, articles, resources and trainings out there about Christian leadership, … [Read more...] about A New Paradigm For Christian Leadership

It's time to tackle one of my favorite issues, let's talk Sunday School. In many places it's dying on the vine, it's being traded in and swapped out. It's considered out of date and it's not working. I'm here to tell you that Sunday School can be powerful, effective, life changing, church reviving and Christ honoring and will become your favorite time of the week. One of the problems is we are stuck on this idea of Sunday School being something it's not. Today I want to talk about the “D” word. Let's dive into the deep of deep. So you want a deep Sunday School huh. The whole open group … [Read more...] about Deep Sunday School . . . .6 Feet Deep.

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:29-32 I have been writing and contributing to SBC Voices for a while and I keep up with a few other SBC and individual blogs as well as … [Read more...] about The Words of my Lips and Comments.