Monthly Archives: January 2012

Making Disciples and Taking Measurements

Last week, I talked about a survey by the Barna Group which analyzed what types of experiences Americans have in their church congregations.  The data suggest that, while Americans experience God and fellowship in church, attending church often does not change their lives.  I suggested, following comments from Taylor Burton-Edwards, that these findings may indicate […]

Congregations, Discipleship, and Staying on Mission in the UMC

I just learned about a recently reported study by the Barna Group entitled What People Experience in Churches.  This study asked Christians questions to assess five different dimensions of church-going.  There’s some good and some bad news included in the findings of the report.  The good news is that most church-goers say they experience a […]

The Consequences of High Expectations, Or, Two Out of Three Isn’t Bad

My brother Jeff once introduced me to a rule about purchasing outdoor gear passed on to him by Matt Conroy of Green Mountain Rock Climbing, Rutland, VT.  It’s nice when outdoor gear can be affordable, durable, and light-weight.  Conroy’s Law, as we might call it, states that you can have two of these three, but […]

The problem with empires and theologies of success

Last week I attended the annual meeting of the American Society of Church History.  The conference was a productive one, yielding new ideas and new connections.  One paper I found particularly interesting was presented by Alister Chapman of Westmont College.  In a paper entitled, “‘Where there is no vision, the people leave’: The End of […]