Broken View Of Discipleship Essay

During the interview with Timothy Hughes, Pastor of the First Baptist Church, many difficult and probing questions were asked to discover the heart of his decision making process. The pastor, making himself available for this interview answered with much openness and transparency revealing how he makes decisions regarding a variety of issues. In regards to fear and its impact on his decision making, one could ascertain that this pastor uses acknowledgement of his fear to provide balance in this process. Decision made in regards to sermon preparation time is deemed to vary as he tries to “utilize a variety of sermon methodology or sermon preparation.” The importance of having a mentor relationship has been important in his life and has aided in making challenging decisions. The aid of such individuals have helped in molding the philosophy he has regarding decisions now. The use of small groups have aided in growth in his life and decisions he has made regarding the issues of focused study. The relationship he has with his family has a great impact on his decisions made. His wife is an

Jeff Bridges takes the lofty goal of perfect holiness and shows how every Christian is called to live out their lives; holiness is achieved by pursuing God in every aspect of our lives, following the way of Christ and not the ways of the world, and obeying the Lord in everything we do. He emphasizes the idea that holiness is not an end result but rather a lifetime challenge. This book follows the teachings of many pastors and authors I have personally encountered and I found it very settling to know that the information I have heard for many years is still applicable and holds its truth.

The sermon begins with an introduction to the story of Peter Healing a Lame Beggar and emphasizes on Acts 3:1-8. Bishop Jakes discusses that the man in the story was only expecting to receive something, no matter what it was, as long as it was something. He then goes into how people are afraid of disappointment, how to have the courage to raise your expectations, and how to break your patterns. He describes how the environment you are in can affect your success and how it’s beneficial to surround yourself with others who are better and who have different things than you do. To be able to want better and receive better, you have to surround yourself with better. It’s okay not to be attracted to the normal and try new things or meet new people. You don’t want to continue to be settled in a nasty situation until it eventually becomes what 's normal. Bishop Jakes then goes into the idea of routine and labeling it as what you build around what you think you can’t change. He then describes how people end their days at the same spots, no matter what different jobs they have, different dates they go on or different people they meet they don’t finish anywhere new. There is then a story about a lame man who is taken to a beautiful gate every single day, but his problem is so ugly that he can’t get into the beautiful place. He always gets extremely close to this place of access but doesn’t get in. This signifies how people don’t reach their desired places, and they may see others

The Wounded Healer by Henri J.M. Nouwen is one such book which is simple yet very insightful, solemn yet very challenging. He stirs up our interest as he deals with the biggest concern of our modern day leaders in our churches and society – the struggle with our weaknesses. And I believe his philosophy goes much deeper than what is actually written. I personally felt that this book is not only for Christian ministers or leaders but for everyone and anyone because, as mortal human beings, we live in a societal world where caring or helping each other is indispensable. I like the way Nouwen makes us see the four chapters of this book, as entering into four different doors, each representing the ‘problems of ministry in the modern world’ (Nouwen, 2010, p.3). I’ve categorized my reflections on this book into three particular headings.

In Thomas Long’s The Witness of Preaching, he aims to urge the reader to become a reliable witness of the gospel by way of ample preparation before entering a pulpit. The text offers to the reader a deeper understanding of the ministry of preaching. A useful component of the text contains informative bits of information that make the reader aware of the lengthy but necessary preparation needed for an adequate explanation of the scripture. Of primary importance is the consideration of the congregation when a preacher is first approaching the text. This point is of vital importance as it signifies that the speaker is a member of the body of Christ and the congregation. Such understanding is a reminder that the preacher is an unworthy vessel being

The 10 disciples came from all aspects of society ranging from a ballet dancer to a taxi driver, to a model; but each of the disciples found common ground by the end of the first song (“Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord”) under the teachings of Jesus. By having a diverse group of followers, Schwartz/Tebleak express the notion that anyone with an open mind to Christianity can be attracted to Jesus and similarly that anyone can spread the word of Christianity. Once again, this reinforces the subject matter present in the play, a performance expressing a modern view of the teaching of Christ. As in real life, not all of the characters immediately accept Jesus as a teacher. While subtle, some of the characters show signs of resistance to Jesus’ teachings, such as John the Baptist when attempting to learn the lesson of forgiving one’s enemies. Ultimately however, each of the 10 disciples gradually come to accept him as a prophet over the course of the film. Admittedly my understanding of Jesus and his followers is very limited and vague, but my understanding seems to align fairly well with that of the film. The twelve apostles were called upon by Jesus and all left their respective live in order to answer the call, with John the Baptist beginning to follow Jesus after Jesus’ baptism. This aspect definitely aligns with the opening scene of the film with all of the

“As surely as each of them brought a toothbrush with him, he also brought with him his loves and hates, his fears of death and his fears of life, his anxieties, his longings, his pride his doubts…and so did the one who traveled to New Haven to hear them lecture.” This statement from page three of Telling the Truth left me naked and vulnerable as I continued to read the following words of this brilliant work by Fredrick Buechner. As a young college student, pursing ministry, I can’t help but be challenged as I read recognize my self in these words. Every time I get up to preach, I bring with me the world that lives inside of me, and so does everyone who is listening. I am speaking to broken hearts, different personalities and family situations, people who are experiencing extreme financial and marriage trials. Each of who is seeking new life shed on them. Whether they are searching Christ or not, they are undoubtedly searching for and absence or void in their lives to be filled. Thus sets the plot for this work that guides readers on a journey to what it means to tell the truth and

This article, written by a highly-respected author, effectively discusses topics that I will be utilizing for the problem and solution sections of my final paper. For the solution section, Ehrenreich reports that “we should just stop the meanness, the relentless persecution of people who are already having a hard time.” In her article, Barbara Ehrenreich discusses the relevance of an argument she made a couple of years back in a book called Nickel and Dimed regarding the unfair conditions poor people often face. Essentially, an extreme number of Americans are paid less than what they can live on. Ehrenreich advocates for the creation of opportunities to allow poor people to get back on their feet and live a

The Protestant Reformation in England, starting in 1534 with the Act of Supremacy led to a disheveled nation affected by many new policies implemented by King Henry the eighth. Catholics protested the new policies with the Pilgrimage of Grace lasting from October 1536 to February 1537. Concerning participants in the Pilgrimage of Grace was Thomas Cromwell’s subjective orders and the effects resulting from the King imposing his authority over the peasants. Participants in this march were vying for the restoration of Catholic traditions and ways of life. All of this was in response to those who were against this movement and were working to raise the Crown’s authority after being worried about an uprising or revolt against the Protestant King.

Ordinary Theology offers the conversation starter, "How would we decipher society?" Seminary understudies and ministers work to see how to peruse Biblical writings. Here, be that as it may, the creators need to exegete society. So, all individuals experience a suggested philosophy; that is, our lives pass on our feeling of how the world is and how it ought to be. Our activities and words make claims about God, truth, and significance. In the event that we don't know how to "peruse" the way of life, it is conceivable that our Biblical work will stay digest and unimportant

No matter how far you’ve journeyed with Christ, Jonathan Edwards’ writings can, and likely will, help you go further. More than two and a half centuries after his death, Edwards continues to captivate minds and hearts with his intense focus on God’s glory and grace. His was a contagious passion for the gospel of Jesus Christ, as reflected in both his sermons and written works.

Love, Leadership and Legacy was written to inspire, encourage and motivate people to embrace godly leadership. Thoughtful examination of scripture shows that God has a plan for each of us and He desires for us to live and lead for His glory. The author’s hope is that this devotional will draw you into a deeper relationship with God and provide you the encouragement and wisdom needed to lead in today’s world.

Craig Skinner noted that the preaching, “As an art, the art of verbal communication by human personality through which God is pleased to reveal himself”.

Leadership can be exercised by " teams as well as individuals" Harris (2002) whilst upholding a biblical worldview. Leithwood (2001) advocate for distributive leadership as an alternative to the top down model. As leaders enlist others leadership is encouraged in others. Jesus called disciples to follow him. He later commissioned them make more disciples in Matthew 28. Leadership is therefore not limited to a select few. Leaders have followers who in turn become leaders when others are

Discuss the difference between numinous and mystical religious experience, and give specific examples to illustrate the difference.