Discernment as the Missional Church’s Way of Life My previous post on missional discernment concluded with the promise of a model of the discernment process. My comments there point beyond the vital indications in the surveyed biblical passages. Scripture bears witness to the fact of discernment in the life of the first-century church and narratesContinue reading “Missional Discernment (Part 2)”
Author Archives: Greg
Christian Scholars’ Conference 2023
For many years, my Junes have been enriched by the Christian Scholars’ Conference. This year’s conference, hosted at Lanier Theological Library (Houston, TX), was stacked. The lineup of keynote speakers included neuroscientist Sharon Dirckx, theologian Willie James Jennings, philosopher James K. A. Smith, and New Testament scholar N. T. Wright. As usual, Lee Camp’s NoContinue reading “Christian Scholars’ Conference 2023”
Discipleship Groups
Discipleship groups are a core component of my ministry and spiritual life. In this post, I overview what they’re about and how they work. Transformation at the Grassroots When my family returned from Peru in order for me to pursue doctoral studies, we faced the difficulties common to long-term cross-cultural missionaries who return to theirContinue reading “Discipleship Groups”
Missional Discernment (Part 1)
In another post, I mentioned an ongoing study of spiritual disciplines using Ruth Haley Barton’s book Sacred Rhythms. I’ve recently been leading the discussion of her chapter on discernment, which has some strengths and some glaring weaknesses. Here, I briefly highlight one of the deficiencies in the privatized and internalized process of discernment that BartonContinue reading “Missional Discernment (Part 1)”
Preaching and Teaching (January–June 2023)
Recent months have occasioned a variety of preaching and teaching opportunities. In addition to my regular responsibilities at Stones River Church, I was invited to preach in the interim rotation at the Church of Christ at Cedar Lane (Tullahoma, TN), my wife’s childhood home church, which formerly oversaw our mission work in Peru. I’ll focusContinue reading “Preaching and Teaching (January–June 2023)”
Welcome to The YARD
How does a church become missional? That question motivates my work at Stones River Church (SRC) as much as anything else. Others wiser and more experienced than I have been attempting to answer it for some time, and their writings are indispensable. But practical, feasible, local answers are elusive. Inertia is monstrously powerful, and becomingContinue reading “Welcome to The YARD”
Discipleship in the Gospels: Following Jesus
Discipleship in the Gospels is more than “being a Christian.” Putting it this way grants a notion of being a Christian that falls short. I don’t see a better way to speak about Christianity today. The reality is, many consider themselves Christians who have never been discipled, never considered the difference between discipleship and churchContinue reading “Discipleship in the Gospels: Following Jesus”
Walking in Prayer
Local Mission at Stones River Church August–December 2022 As I mentioned in the previous post, a lot of the good things that have taken place at Stones River Church in the last year have grown out of a commitment to prayer. We’ve had dedicated seasons of prayer and fasting, but perhaps the most transformative practiceContinue reading “Walking in Prayer”
Release to the Captives
Transitional and Homeless Ministry at Stones River Church August–December 2022 When Julie Hadlock showed up at Stones River Church last year, we were in a season of prayer and discernment about our local participation in God’s mission. Julie is an expert in transitional ministry. Following her own release after eleven months in prison (a storyContinue reading “Release to the Captives”
Stones River Updates
A New Logo Let’s start with the least important thing. There are many “renovation” efforts afoot at Stones River Church. Among the relatively superficial changes in the queue, the first is a new logo. Our preaching minister, Jon McPeters, and I led the charge on this process. Our feelings about spending time and money onContinue reading “Stones River Updates”
Scripture & Mission 