Lesslie Newbigin once stated, “there is no higher priority for the research work of missiologists than to ask the question of what would be involved in a genuinely missionary encounter between the gospel and this modern Western culture.” While Newbigin’s words and work led the Church to claim the “West […]

Apostolic Imagination: Rethinking the West


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Today is a big day in the States. Here are a few passages (ESV) to consider during this time. These call us, regardless of nationality, to prayer, encouragement, hope, godly-living, and mission. “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings […]

Inauguration Day


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No shortage of news this week. But, in other news. . . the 5 billion remain. . . . in case we get distracted and become more zealous about less urgent matters. [Translate]

My Shortest Post Ever



One of the courses I teach at Beeson Divinity School is Contemporary Issues and Strategies in Missions. It is usually offered as a January class and began again today. After twenty years of training pastors and church planters, I have noticed that many struggle in the area of strategic planning. […]

5 Practices of Strategic Leaders


Roland Allen was born on this date in 1868. He turned the world of missions upside down. Allen (1868-1947) was an Anglican, priest, missionary, author, and provocateur. While his influence was felt in the latter twentieth and twenty-first centuries, his views were often disregarded during his lifetime. Books such as Missionary […]

Roland Allen’s Birthday


Last week, I drove past the first KFC. I grew up in the small Southeastern Kentucky town of Corbin. Here is where the Colonel started frying it decades ago. My mother’s house is about two miles from the restaurant. As we visited for the holiday, she mentioned the place had […]

Christmas, Japan, and KFC