Sacrifice to Lead:
Monastic Leadership (Lessons from the Medieval Church)

In the late ancient and throughout the medieval church, as Christianity was endorsed by the Roman leadership, the movement of people from the cities to places of solitude for spiritual devotion became vogue. While this drained the cities of some of the more devoted Christian followers it may have served to raise up Christian leaders in an environment where religious studies were the complete focus. As church leaders were needed, we find that a large number of influential church leaders, even popes, came from this mass exodus of sanctuary in solitude and celibacy to lead the church. Read the rest of this entry »

Here in the environment of a seminary, I find the most curious perspective. Students and professors alike seem to latch onto a model for church organization or world missions, and because they see it represented in the Bible they believe it is the only valid model for that organization or pursuit. They believe that because the New Testament speaks of bishops and elders, that it is ungodly to have a church that does not incorporate both into their leadership model. Or they love missions so much, they try to build a Scriptural case for every church to give 30% of their budget and service overseas. I cannot tell you how frustrating this is to me! It bothers me that people over emphasize passages of Scripture to support their passions and ideals. To make it seem as if God finds all other church models or missions budgets sinful. Read the rest of this entry »

Leadership. In our culture, leaders are attached on a daily basis…and they constantly fight the misinterpretation of their actions, the exposure of their character, and threats against their safety. In academic circles, I even find that the concept of leadership is under great attack. Some Christians will even say that leadership is only necessary because of sin.

One of the greatest stories in Scripture finds itself in sharp contrast to these common views on leadership today. It’s the story of Moses and the nation of Israel, and it’s dependence on the character of Moses shocks even me. Let me share with you the highlights: (The book of Exodus) Read the rest of this entry »

A recent book read of mine had this in the final chapters, I just wanted to share it with all who might appreciate it…
(taken from Your God is Too Safe by Marcus Buchnan

If we were to gather suggestions from most North American Christians about how to improve the Godward life, we might get a list with items like this:

1. Give us quick, effective formulas for prayer.
2. Dispel our doubts without ever making us touch wounds.
3. Remove our wounds and disappointments.
4. Explain mystery, simply.
5. Take the risk and the work out of obedience.
6. Give us a God who’s safe.
7. Explain everything, in the Bible, and make it under 100 pages
8. Make finances, and discipline, and getting along with others easy.
9. Make everyone act and think like us.
10. Make life comfortable.

This is by far the best presentation on world history of religions I have found so far…watch and enjoy. Also note that the presentation larger on the original site, just in case you need to see a bigger version!

Source:
http://www.mapsofwar.com/ind/history-of-religion.html