Why is serving WITH people who believe differently, so important?

Why is serving WITH people who believe differently, so important?

The idea of serving people in order to communicate God’s grace is hardly novel. “Bringing the whole gospel to the whole person” marks both contemporary missional churches and longstanding mission organizations. Yet, if we limit ourselves to serving people in order to demonstrate God’s love for them, we may be ignoring an even more loving, relational, authentic and dynamic approach–serving together with people who believe differently. Together Together is the key word. The dynamic changes when people do something together; the rules change when you are in relationship. Consider John’s story: When I was in grade school, I played multiple...Read more …
How’s your short game?

How’s your short game?

Here’s a radio-minute that aired nationally this week on Q Place’s Walk the Way: This is Walk the Way. Brought to you by Q Place, I’m Jeff Klein. How’s your short game? When I want to practice my golf, I usually head out to the driving range: I get a large bucket of balls and swing away until they’re gone. After all, it’s impressive if you can hit your ball hundreds of yards down the fairway. Long drives solicit oohs and aahs. And respect. But if you know anything about golf, you know that the game is won on or around the...Read more …
Success hinges on how well you welcome

Success hinges on how well you welcome

Danny Spitzberg’s work is primarily interested in “community spaces” and how people move from “do it yourself” to “do it together.” He is particularly interested in how to welcome people to a space and make those who visit feel welcomed by the community that works and plays there. Emphasizing how crucial the initial encounter is, he agrees with Lori Kane who puts it this way: “If you do just one thing: Say ‘Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here!‘” Perhaps even more importantly, he understands that the success of any organization is getting their visitors to stay and become part of the community themselves. In...Read more …
Ever consider a different route?

Ever consider a different route?

For years, Dave drove the same roads from Chicago to his folks’ house in eastern Pennsylvania. That is, until the first time he drove it with his new wife, Jen. Jen decided she would consult Google in order to determine the best route. Dave found this utterly ludicrous! After all, hadn’t he been driving the best, fastest, and only route for years? Apparently not. When it was Jen’s turn to drive, and her new husband fell asleep in the passenger seat next to her, she switched to her route. And when Dave woke up, they had already arrived, an hour and a half...Read more …
Your joy is the gospel’s best witness

Your joy is the gospel’s best witness

Here’s a radio-minute that aired nationally this week on Q Place’s Walk the Way: This is Walk the Way. Brought to you by Q Place. I’m Jeff Klein. My friend Chris had planned a special breakfast date with his kids, but as all good things do, it came to an end. It was time to go home. But since they’d walked to the restaurant, they obviously had to walk back. Leaving is never as fun as going, and Chris found himself continually urging his crew: Come on Jonathan, let’s go, Shana. It didn’t work. So then he tried something new, turning drudgery...Read more …
This first step will help you create a missional culture in your church

This first step will help you create a missional culture in your church

Bill Hybels said it long ago, “The facts are our friends.” This seems obvious, but in reality, it can be hard to face the facts even when they may hold the key to jumpstarting important changes and shifts in ministry. Pastors, loving the flocks we are called to shepherd also includes challenges and truth telling. Most people, when living within a system for a long time, will have a hard time seeing the reality of what is really happening within that system. But part of a pastor’s job is to help them. The facts are our friends. Unfortunately, all too often, in...Read more …
What’s the primary ingredient in God’s mission?

What’s the primary ingredient in God’s mission?

When we moved into our house we were delighted to discover that we had a sour cherry tree in our back yard. Incredible. Cherry pie is hands-down my favorite! Every June since, we’ve gotten the whole family involved, climbing in the tree and on all sorts of ladders, picking as many cherries as we can. Then my wife goes to town on making me my cherry pies. What would a cherry pie be without the cherries? The Spirit of God Any talk of culture building and shaping within a church in order to help a congregation get on the mission of...Read more …
Unlocking victory

Unlocking victory

Here’s a radio-minute that aired nationally this week on Q Place’s Walk the Way: This is Walk the Way, brought to you by Q Place, I’m Jeff Klein. And I’m Pam Klein. Just a few weeks ago, my friend Lisa wrote an email to all the women in our Bible study. She had great news—one of her students had called her to tell her that she had become a Christian. I could hear the excitement as I read Lisa’s words on my screen: “Girls! We have a new sister!” Lisa is an acting coach—and our group had been praying for her student...Read more …
Prayers, hair, and the neighbor downstairs

Prayers, hair, and the neighbor downstairs

When my husband and I moved into our apartment complex three years ago, I began to pray for God to open up opportunities to meet my neighbors. Matt and I would try to notice who was out and about and greet people, but it seemed that doors would often slam in our faces. I didn’t know what it was about that place. Or was it something about us? We kept praying and making small efforts, and I felt at peace even though it seemed like God wasn’t answering our prayers. But about six months ago, my downstairs neighbor started to say hello as...Read more …
Can you do what Jesus did?

Can you do what Jesus did?

Not too long ago, on the way out of church, Jack and his wife, Pat, noticed a woman, alone, still sitting in her seat. But because they’d been trained to notice others and understand that, in the middle of their ordinary routines and ordinary days, God puts people in front of us for a reason, they stopped to say hello, introduce themselves, and ask if anything was wrong. The three ended up eating together and through asking questions and listening, they unpacked the woman’s story. Her husband had left, she lost her job, and now she felt at the end of her...Read more …
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