Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Mission

Feast Day of St. Benedict of Nursia

July 11, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

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, […]

Filed Under: Community, Monasticism, Saints Tagged With: Benedict of Nursia, community, Malibu Club, Mission, Monasticism, Prayer, Solitude, Young Life

The Secret Ingredient Transforming Communities for Mission

May 28, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen 1 Comment

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 […]

Filed Under: Community, Monasticism, Prayer, Theology Tagged With: Benedict of Nursia, Bible memorization, community, Divine Office, Lectio divina, Liturgy of the Hours, Mission, Monasticism, Navigators, Prayer

And Where Does JESUS Want Your Community to Go?

May 1, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen 3 Comments

From the response to Monday’s post one thing is clear: I’m not the only one who cares about community and mission. It seems like a bit of a flash point, actually, whether people see community life leading to mission or as something that stands on its own. I want to explain why I’m on this topic: Jesus cares […]

Filed Under: Community, Theology Tagged With: Bible, community, Jesus, John 17, ministry, Mission

Where’s Your Community Going?

April 29, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen 22 Comments

I was guest preacher at a little country church.  There are thousands like it. They looked to be teetering on the brink of the abyss, hardly able to muster the leadership and funding to survive. My wife was chatting with one of the members — someone with a lot of complaints about their denomination’s influence […]

Filed Under: Community, Monasticism Tagged With: Benedict of Nursia, Ideals, Mission, Mission statement, Monasticism

Exploring Models Of Christian Community

April 23, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen 22 Comments

When Benedict of Nursia (c. 480-c. 550) set out to form a new Christian community — a monastery — he did it all wrong. If he’d been a member of my denomination we would have set him straight.  He should, of course, have started with a “mission study.” We want our communities — typically local […]

Filed Under: Community, Monasticism Tagged With: Benedict of Nursia, Mission, Mission study, Monasticism

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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