Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Gary Neal Hansen

Letters to a Young Pastor: Setting Sail

October 15, 2015 by Gary Neal Hansen 4 Comments

Dear ______: Here’s the thing: in the end you have to choose. It is time for setting sail. You might be St. Francis, choosing after a direct message spoken by Christ. You might be a disciple, choosing based on what you think will best serve the kingdom. And then again, you might not have the slightest hint of […]

Filed Under: Ministry Tagged With: DIvine guidance, Finding the Will of God, Letters to a Young Pastor, Setting sail

Helping Christian Communities Thrive: Keep Central things Central

October 12, 2015 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

Keeping Central Things Central

As you think about what your Christian community should be all about, I suggest an experiment: keep your focus on just four key practices. For thriving community over the long haul, keep central things central. I’ll tell you a secret: That’s the biblical approach. It is also a good pragmatic approach. Think of the community like a tree. You […]

Filed Under: Bible, Community Tagged With: Acts 2:42, Helping Christian Community Thrive, Keep Central Things Central

Letters to a Young Pastor: Getting God’s Will Wrong

October 8, 2015 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

Is there a risk of getting God's will wrong?

Dear ______: When you have to choose a path, it does put the pressure on. You are afraid of getting God’s will wrong. Sorry: I didn’t mean to upset you. But my question from a few letters back is serious: What if you really couldn’t make a fatal mistake? Getting God’s will wrong. Let me tell you […]

Filed Under: Ministry, Saints Tagged With: Getting God's Will Wrong, Letters to a Young Pastor, San Damiano Cross, St. Francis of Assisi

Helping Christian Community Thrive: Drawing Close to God

October 6, 2015 by Gary Neal Hansen 2 Comments

If you call your faith “a personal relationship to God” you already know it is true: You should be drawing close to God. How can you say you have a relationship that matters if the two of you don’t spend time together? There’s a name for drawing close to God. It’s called praying. Christians used […]

Filed Under: Community, Prayer Tagged With: Acts 2:42, Community for Mission, Divine Office, Lord's Prayer, Prayer, psalms

Letters to a Young Pastor: A Sound Investment Strategy

October 1, 2015 by Gary Neal Hansen 2 Comments

A Sound Investment Strategy

Dear ______: Of course! I’m happy to tell you the story of how I came to believe that I was called to ministry. I thought you’d never ask. It all comes down to a parable and a sound investment strategy. The process started back as an undergrad at the University of Washington. I was heavily involved […]

Filed Under: Bible, Ministry Tagged With: A Sound Investment Strategy, discerning a call to ministry, Finding the Will of God, Letters to a Young Pastor

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Theology. It’s good for you.

I'm a Church historian by trade. My writing, speaking, and teaching explores the Christian past to equip today's disciples. Join me here for regular posts on the best of theology, spirituality, community, and ministry. read more…

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