The equation that produces charisma is actually fairly simple. All you have to do is give the impression that you possess both high power and high warmth, since charismatic behaviors project a combination of these two qualities.
Archives For Growth
Becoming a missionary often means getting a theological degree and learning a new language. As Christendom takes hold in the west, we’re learning that all Christians must be missionaries, and all churches must be missionary churches.
Over the last six months, I have been helping to gather a new church community we’re calling Austin Mustard Seed. As we learn whom we are, I am thankful for the twisted paths of preparation we have all taken to get here.
You want to be a Missionary? Here are nine lessons I learned from preparing the hard way.
1. Learn the Story of the Bible (and the Church)
The word “missionary” has some blood on its hands. For centuries, people in power used it to enforce their way of life on others.
The true word for this is imperialism, not mission. Imperialist use the “God card” to enforce their own way of life, and usually increase their wallets at the same time.
The cure to imperialism? Deep study of the entire Bible, from beginning to end. Continue Reading…
In Austin, Fall is as subtle as flipping a switch. One day you hate you’re life and wonder why you live in an oven. The next, you want to put on a scarf and walk around Town Lake.
Fall also brings a twinge of guilt. With the end of the year approaching, I can’t help but think about how my New Years Goals have panned out.
Back in January, I publically stated four goals:
- Become a Morning Person
- Create a Regular Devotional Pattern
- Write 200 Words a Day
- Read 40 Books.
Fast forward ten months. I’m still not a morning person, although I’ve had some great mornings. I have done a lot of writing. I’ve had some great devotional times. I’m around 30 books right now, so it is still possible.
Why have I not succeeded at my New Years Goals?
1. I didn’t have the structures needed to pull them off. Continue Reading…
You are imperfect, you are wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.
View more from the “research storyteller.”
Austin Mustard Seed is a new church that is forming for north/central Austin. We’re in the process of building a team right now. In the mean time, we’re re-releasing some old audio to give a taste of what it will be like.
Jonathan Martin is pastor of Renovatus Church in Charlotte. It’s a strange bird, a Pentecostal church with a liturgical bent and a tendency to quote French philosophers. Martin comes across a bit bombastic on the podcast, but underneath it has some great content.
Todd Hunter was a long time disciple of the late Dallas Willard, which comes through clearly in his teaching. Hunter focuses on how hearts can be renovated to be more like Jesus, for the sake of the kingdom of God. He also has mastered the lost art of the 20 minute sermon.
Sermonsmith is the side project of my friend John Chandler. He interviews top-notch preachers about the craft of sermon preparation.
One Church is a series hosted by The Meeting House, a Brethren in Christ (anabaptist) church in Toronto. Bruxy Cavey hosts various leaders from diverse denominations, creating an opportunity to celebrate what they share in common and highlight their differences. When I asked one of their leaders about this unique approach he said “we believe Jesus teaches peace, and we need to model that in how we discuss our differences.”
Tommy Givens is a new teacher at Fuller via Duke whose class “Introduction to the Gospels and Acts” is available on iTunes U. Givens relentlessly tries to let peel away layers of popular and scholarly through to let the text speak for itself.
Stuff You Should Know in my neverending attempt to be “cocktail smart”, no tool is more helpful that Chuck and Josh’s well researched and clever discussions of everything under the sun.
Freakonomics is the continuing work of Dubner and Levitt. These are hit and miss, but the good ones, such as “was Jane Austin a Game Theorist?” are as thought-provoking and enjoyable as the original book.
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