At Ingleside we often say, “We are a multi-generational church with a next-generation orientation.” Why is this important to affirm? First, it’s because Scripture assumes that healthy churches will have more than a single generation present. When you read the Apostle Paul’s letter to Titus you find instruction for “older men” and “older women” and “young women” and “younger men.” (cf. Titus 2:1-8). In other of the epistles (e.g., Ephesians 6, Colossians...
Perhaps it’s because of the breathtaking beauty of the landscape. Perhaps it’s because the events are exotic (think curling, skeleton, halfpipe, slopestyle). Perhaps it’s because it’s fun to root for the USA. Over the past two weeks I have really enjoyed the Winter Olympics being staged in Sochi, Russia. As I have watched athletes from 88 nations compete on a grand stage, four words have come to mind again and again. They are: Training – almost every athlete has...
It’s a French phrase which literally means, “reason to be.” According to Merriam-Webster it is to be understood as “the reason for which a person or organization exists.” Or, further, “the thing that is most important to someone or something.” Given the turbulent religious landscape of our day and the conflicting currents even within evangelical Christianity, it’s wise for every church to regularly ask: what is our reason for being? What is most important? Why do...
“So, how many ministers do you have at Ingleside?” the person asked. If answered in the customary way the reply could have been somewhere between eight and thirteen, depending on how you count. If answered in a biblical way, the number of ministers at Ingleside is more than 1,000! A key passage of Scripture that informs our answer to this question and should shape our thinking about a healthy church says: 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and...
