The Mission Church in Townsend, DE will dissolve next year.  Lots of factors led to this fate: pastoral mistakes, cultural headwinds, and more.  I will discuss these soon, but not yet.  It is more important we love people well. God is Love. Love of God and Neighbor (friend & foe) fulfills the Law. We, Elders ... The post When closing a church is loving people. appeared first on theMISSION ..read more

Jesus enters Jerusalem alongside a frenzied crowd full of excitement. Palm Sunday is a parade, but it’s not the Macy’s parade with 2-story balloons of Elmo & Clifford.  Palm Sunday feels like a coronation.  But it’s not like the crowning of King Charles where everything was scripted according to centuries of royal tradition.  Palm Sunday ... The post No one could imagine or predict Holy Week. appeared first on theMISSION ..read more

The Beatitudes in Matthew 5 begin … Blessed are the poor in spirit Blessed are those who mourn Blessed are the meek This is not the wisdom proclaimed by our secular age. I remember NT Wright saying during the COVID pandemic the church has forgotten how to lament.  To lament is to mourn, complain, regret, ... The post Lament and the Beatitudes appeared first on theMISSION ..read more

Three summary statements from BibleProject about peacemaking and the Kingdom of God. “When God’s Kingdom arrives in full one day, it will bring peace between all people. And so anyone entering God’s Kingdom now is called to work as a peacemaker. That means entering into conflicts and working creatively to open up a just and ... The post Peacemaking 101 appeared first on theMISSION ..read more

Were you taught Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible (Genesis-Deuteronomy)?  I was.  This is funny.  Numbers 12:3 says, “Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.”  Do you think the “meekest” man on earth would say that about himself?  That’s pretty ... The post What does “meek” mean? Who still uses that word? appeared first on theMISSION ..read more

Do you know which city? The city has been called the “holy city” because of its religious heritage and the numerous church steeples that make up the city skyline. It became the nation’s “slave capital” because approximately 40% of all Africans brought to America and sold as slaves came through this port city. The city: ... The post How did the “holy city” become the “slave capital” of the nation?  appeared first on theMISSION ..read more

What about a deep dive into the Sermon on the Mount? Matthew 5-6-7 are three very significant chapters.  Lots of people say that about lots of Bible passages – usually our favorite Bible verses. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is different.  Matthew 5 begins, “Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a ... The post How might God’s Word speak to you in 2024? appeared first on theMISSION ..read more

4th Week of Advent: LOVE The Apostle John said, the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us... (John 1:14).  John later said, God is love. (1 John 4:8) Praise the name of Jesus who is love personified. Love on display. Love, literally, in the flesh. As we gather to celebrate Christmas and New ... The post Love made flesh at Christmas appeared first on theMISSION ..read more

My wife recently asked; do you think God is pruning us?  The past 12 months have been difficult.  She has dealt with several health issues.  The Mission Church is in transition too.  We walk by faith & live with hope into a future we cannot see.  We all do. Will we walk with joy?  Paraphrasing ... The post Advent Joy appeared first on theMISSION ..read more

Do you think Thankfulness & Hope are closely connected?  I do. Thankfulness looks back in time. Hope looks ahead. Both are focused on the grace and mercy of Jesus extended to us.  It is God’s faithfulness in the past – the Holy Spirit at work in our lives and being thankful – that gives us ... The post Thanksgiving & Hope appeared first on theMISSION ..read more