In 1748 John Wesley tried to explain the amazing growth of his Methodist movement. He had created a remarkably effective model of small group community, and they were growing fast. What was the secret? The whole thing took them by surprise, he said. “…they had no previous design or plan at all; but everything arose […]
Feast Day of St. Benedict of Nursia
I was about to set off to university. My friends and I headed north for a week of camp sponsored by Young Life — it was at the extraordinary Malibu Club on Princess Louisa Inlet in British Columbia. They called the camp “College Prep” and the message was clear: We’d been Christians in high school, […]
What Kind of Relationship Defines Community?
The church was spending weeks and weeks on new mission and vision statements — documents intended to guide their life as a community for the next long while. What should define their life together? I talked to them about biblical pictures of the Church. You know them too: we are Christ’s body, as interconnected as […]
The Secret Ingredient Transforming Communities for Mission
I’m asleep in the early morning hours. There is a knock on my door, and a monk lets me know it is time to be in the chapel. Again. Praying. Again. Throughout the day it is a rhythm like breathing. To the chapel to pray. Back out to work. To the chapel to pray. Back out […]
12 Steps that Prepare a Community for Mission
On his first Maundy Thursday in office Pope Francis washed the feet of some of God’s people. Humble. Obedient. Outrageous. Jesus said “So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14) And so Francis did it — but he colored outside the lines: […]