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This is a now a regular feature on the blog.  Usually on Mondays, I get caught up on my favorite podcasts and this usually results in a lot of tweeting on that day.  However, if you are at work and not checking Twitter during that time, you might miss some of the great truth being shared by others.  So, I am sharing some of best tweets from previous weeks which include great wisdom and truth. Christianity that is based on "self" looks at the world in fear. Christianity that is focused on Christ, looks at the world with Hope. @cameans   We are made right by the work of Jesus Christ, not by our behavior. (Romans 5:1) @ZachMaldo The Gospel is what God has done in Christ through His life, death and resurrection to reconcile sinners to Himself--not something you do.@Nick_Batzig The gospel is not, "You do." The gospel is, "Jesus did."   @edstetzer   because of Jesus, you are loved & accepted by God, right now, as you are, & not as you shou...

In a previous post, I shared some favorite quotes from The Gospel Project online seminar.  Today, I am sharing a few more that I listened to before the videos were removed.                  A gospel centered church consistently & constantly reminds its people of the gospel, consistently & constantly reminds people who they were before they heard the gospel & consistently celebrates the present power of the gospel for daily life. (Matt Chandler) The gospel in worship leads people into the beauty of the story of the finished work of Jesus & the power of His resurrection. (Louie Giglio) We have a new identity-child of God, loved by God. This new identity leads to a new way of living-loving others. (Jeff Vanderstelt) Discipleship is not a ministry of your church. Discipleship is THE ministry of the church. (Dhati Lewis) The Church partners with Jesus in saving thru gospel proclamation...

When I attended the MB Convention in Santa Clara at the end of July, Ed Stetzer was our speaker.  He had tons of great things to say.  To see those notes, go here. One of things he said has been causing me to do some searching in the Bible.  Here are my notes from his message on Friday night: His topic for this message was church multiplication. 4 Commissions of Jesus in the New Testament We are sent (John 20:19-21) All commissions are connected to a promise The one mission is from Jesus God's mission has a church. This verse applies to all of God's people. Don't let your church be a cul de sac on the highway of God's mission. To All Peoples (Matthew 28:18-20) With A Message (Luke 24:46-49) Fundamental to the nature of the gospel is the proclamation of the gospel Empowered by the Spirit (Acts 1:6-8) We need the power to carry out the mission So, here is my question: if all the commissions are connected to a promise, could it also be t...

Check out my notes from Thursday night's session at USMB Pastor's Conference at www.usmb.org.

Today, I am headed to Santa Clara, California for the USMB Pastor's Conference and Conection 2014.  I will be participating with other pastors July 24-25 and then will participate in the convention July 25-26. Our speaker will be Ed Stetzer. To follow what is going on, check back on this blog or at http://www.usmb.org/news/article as I will be part of the social media team for the four days. I will also be posting on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram I look forward to interacting with you or keeping you informed if you were unable to attend.

I was asked to write a post about our Conection 2014 speaker, Ed Stetzer for the new USMB website.  Go check it out and read why Ed Stetzer will be a great speaker as we gather in July in California.  The website is here. You can also register to attend the conference at that site as well. 

To all Mennonite Brethren pastors and congregations, Are you signed up to attend Conection 2014?  I am looking forward to the convention for many reasons.  First of all, it is a great opportunity to connect with others from the MB family.  Second, it is a great opportunity for training and learning.  I have written a post about our speaker, Ed Stetzer, that will appear on the USMB website soon.  Third, it is California.  I hope you are planning to attend.  I will be part of the social media team at the convention and will be sharing quotes and other information.  Hope to see you there! For more information go here  or register here .

Don't give up on our young people. Keep praying. Keep trusting that God is working beyond what we can see and imagine. Prodigals have a way of coming home. (Robert Morgan) Activity for Christ does not equal intimacy with Christ.  You can do.  But first you must be. (Dave Stone) So many of our decisions in church are based on pragmatism rather than the Bible. (Rob Rienow) We are not always fighting about reality, but instead our perception. Every fight can be attributed to a perceived threat or perceived neglect. (Les & Leslie Parrott) Your marriage takes place on a battlefield not a romantic balcony. The Enemy hates marriage. (Todd Wagner) USC Researchers found that a close relationship with a parent, especially a dad, was biggest predictor of passing on faith. (Ed Stetzer) My father was a moral compass and a lighthouse.  (James Dobson) Biblical orthodoxy is about what we know.  Grace is how we come across.  Grace should describe what we are. (...

Bad news motivates people to act. The stats make good ad copy, but simply are not true. Stats for Young Americans: 32% are religious; 32% are spiritual, 3 in 10 are Nones Study from USC (followed 358 Californian families 1970-2005) to be released soon: Jews, Evangelicals, Mormons, and Nones are best at passing on their religion to their children. 74% of married couples who were both Evangelicals also had kids who were Evangelicals 57% of Evangelicals in interfaith marriage had kids who were Evangelicals USC Researchers found that a close relationship with a parent, especially a dad, was biggest predictor of passing on faith.  Nones-14% in 1970 and 57% in 2005 had parents who had been a None. Secularism is growing. From the book from Lost and Found Beliefs, view of church, spirituality, view of outreach of Age 20-29 compared with those 30 are older Younger age group were more favorable in all these areas. Lifeway research of Church dropouts When combined, the f...

Bad Stats:       Christians and non-Christians divorce at same rate       Christians and tippers       Christians and Disenfranchised Youth       The church is dying Why do we love bad stats?       Our brains are wired to be on the lookout for danger       Bad news motivates people to act       Sell books Bad stats don't solve problems. Bad stats lead to panic. What are some real stats?       General growth--Mainlines are decreasing; Evangelicals are increasing       Age 18-29--Mainlines went from 25 to 5%; Evangelicals are stable at 25% About half of Americans (44%) will change faiths before they are 22.        Most from mainlines-decline in 30% in 30 years The "Nones" are growing.  The behavior has not changed, but their identification has.       32% are religious       32% are spiritual (not using...

Ed Stetzer, president of Lifeway Research.Check out his website here Going Deeper in Your Teaching Ministry (Christ-Centered and Mission-Focused) Three ways to define deep: Depth as "just the facts ma'am" Depth as "insights for Daily Living" Depth as Gospel-Centrality Three ways people hear the question "What is the Gospel?" Telling the Story for an Individual (Evangelistic Presentation) Telling the Story of Jesus (Exegetical definition of the word) Telling the Story of New Creation (The whole good news of Christianity) Moralism: The Enemy of depth Getting right with God without defining who God is Good advice versus Good News Spiritualization of the gospel announcement  "The Gospel is not you do. It's Jesus did." Going Deep   Recognize that true transformation comes from the biblical gospel   Proclaim Jesus as Savior, not just example  Diagnose moralism in your own heart Ground your application in the cross an...

The opening session at D6 was Ed Stetzer , President of LifeWay Research. He was answering the question, "For parents who have developed children to be faithful and passionate Christ followers as adults, what exactly is it they did to produce such spiritual champions for Christ? Here are some quotes from him: Three things he brought out from Deuteronomy 6:4-9 The necessity of sharing your faith. It must be ongoing and repeated. This is not sin management but new life. We must live the spiritual life. He talked about the importance of the rhythm of life (walk, rise up, etc.) We as parents cannot lead what we don't live. There is a need for marking your home. He then shared about a research project they had just recently completed answering the question above. He shared 7 predictors that occurred in the homes of effective parents. These are things that seemed to influence the spiritual development of their children. They are: Regularly spent time in prayer Achieved good...

Occasionally, I post the books that I am reading right now. Here is my current list: Collaborate by Michael Chanley Transformational Church by Ed Stetzer The Dad in the Mirror by Morley & Delk Radical Reformission by Mark Driscoll Forgotten God by Franis Chan Doctrine by Mark Driscoll