Worshiping a Present God
“Worshiping an implicitly absent, distant God of “control” maligns God’s character and encourages our continued absence from God, one another, and those in need.”
Preaching the Gospel in Worship: A Conversation with Michelle Odinma
“While good advice is valuable, it's the Good News that has the power to change lives and, indeed, the world.”
A Case Study in Inclusiveness
A case study illustrates the importance of inclusiveness, highlighting the need for accommodating physical disabilities beyond mere accessibility.
Inclusiveness in religious movements traditionally dominated by older white men has improved but still faces resistance in certain areas.
The article emphasizes the significance of appreciating and accepting individuals with physical disabilities, moving beyond discussions focused solely on their health challenges.
The Role of Compassion and Cultural Intelligence in Ministry
In a biblical example, Jesus demonstrated the importance of compassion and cultural intelligence by breaking down barriers between Jews and Gentiles.
Cultural Intelligence (CQ) is the ability to interact effectively across cultures, with a focus on CQ Drive, which addresses biases toward different cultures.
The story illustrates how stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination can inhibit cross-cultural ministry, emphasizing the need for compassion and unbiased outreach to all individuals.
Adventism And The Heart of God
Adventism, when stripped of cultural additives like fundamentalism and legalism, represents a theology of love rooted in God's heart.
The imperative is to share this theology of God's heart with humanity, making it accessible and relatable to all, regardless of denomination.
The focus should be on making disciples of Jesus who embody the message of God's heart and are willing to share it, irrespective of labels or appearances, with three strategies: leading doctrines to God's heart, living out Jesus' love, and cultivating meaningful relationships.
Civic Connections for Community Concerns
In the midst of the pandemic, a conversation between the author and future Mayor Stephen Murray led to a focus on reopening the historic Greene Street Gym, a beloved community space in Beaufort, SC.
Despite complicated local issues related to mismanagement and lack of access, Mayor Murray appointed a city task force in response to community interest, resulting in the reopening of the gym in January 2022.
The partnership between the author, a clergy leader and educator, and Mayor Murray, a civic leader, demonstrates the power of civic connections and collaborations in addressing community concerns for positive change.
Cross-Cultural Witnessing
A critical aspect of communicating the Gospel effectively is being able to understand the basic assumptions that those outside of my group bring as a mental map and have clarity toward the goal. Most of us are not aware of such deep assumptions, so is best to simply take a learner’s role and ask, “How do you understand this?” If you are not sure, simply start by seeking clarification…and remember, the goal is eventually leading seekers to the Bible, so keep the focus.
Here is an example of a real-life situation, a conversation between a Muslim Imam and an Adventist pastor. After a few pleasantries, the conversation changed…