Vol 3:18 Missional Living: Not “OverThinking” – Living in the Leading of the Spirit

In a recent The Economist, I read about how we tend to “overthink” in critical situations. I do not have the issue with me so I am recollecting what I read and offer some comments that relate to our living missionally. The article expressed that when we get into tough or critical situations, the difference between succeeding or failing has much to do with our overthinking what we should do....

Vol 3:17 Missional Living: Ministry as “Exhaling” the Spirit

Last weekend I spoke at an Illinois Mennonite Conference sister congregation in central Illinois and a metaphor emerged as I was preaching that I want to explore deeper. The text was John 20:19-23. I focused upon the re-creative act of Jesus in which Jesus breathed upon his disciples and said “Receive the Holy Spirit.” I call this act of Jesus’ re-creative, because just as John 1...

Vol 3: 16 Missional Living: The Chaos of Following the Spirit

Following the Spirit can only be described as chaotic when we sense we have lost or are losing control in knowing where we are being led. We determine a situation is chaotic, when we cannot exert enough influence to ensure the outcomes we desire. Exercising effective leadership has much to do with bringing order out of chaos – but I suspect it has little to do with being open to the leading...

Vol 3:15 Missional Living: Forgetting to Make Room for the Spirit

I had a great weekend at the Illinois Mennonite Conference Annual Assembly in which we focused upon being Co-laborers with God in God’s Service. There was great preaching, great conversation, great engagement in workshops, great food – it was a very good weekend. And then I came home – and I began to be overwhelmed with the tasks and “duties” of ministry. I received emails and phone...

Vol 3:14 Missional Living: Focusing on What (Whom) God Notices

What makes us missional? Being missional I am realizing has less to do with focusing on the task of God’s mission as it does focusing on what God notices. Or perhaps, it is better stated, whom God notices. This coming week I am speaking at the Illinois Mennonite Conference Annual Assembly. The theme for the assembly is 1 Corinthians 3:9 – Co-workers in God’s Service! As I was...