Is Christ the Center in Your Life?

John H. Armstrong April 17th, 2012

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One of the chapters in my widely-discussed book, Your Church Is Too Small, is taken from the title of a book by the famous German theologian and martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Christ the Center. I argue that the Christian faith is first about Christ. "Who do you say that I am?" asked Jesus. Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Before we argue about the doctrine of the church, the nature and seat of authority or even about the … (Read More)

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Civil Religion, School Prayer and Our Missional Future

John H. Armstrong February 20th, 2012

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America has had more than its share of court cases and challenges regarding prayer in our public schools. I can actually mark stages of my developing memory about growing up in America by these various challenges and debates. I remember, very vividly, when the Supreme Court first ruled on separation challenges regarding opening the day with prayer in our schools. I remember how Christians vehemently protested and spoke against the "evil" Warren Court for years … (Read More)

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Trends That Call Us to Understand Our Mission Differently

John H. Armstrong December 27th, 2011

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There is a continual danger that the church will be driven by various cultural and social trends. Evangelical churches are the most susceptible to this danger. "Trendier than thou" is a real problem when our vision of discipleship is stunted and becomes consumer oriented. Given the great desire to reach people with the good news we can easily adapt our methods and approaches in ways that are inconsistent with our message.

Having acknowledged this real problem … (Read More)

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The Hope of Future Life

John H. Armstrong October 31st, 2011

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I am amazed at how easily people speak of life after death with no real basis for what they think or say. It is apparent that Christian thought has so permeated our culture that even when Christian thought no longer holds prominence in morals, or in day-to-day decision making and living, people still cling to the Christian idea of life after death. Simply put, they believe they will go to heaven, whatever and wherever it is in the universe. Their views of heaven are und … (Read More)

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The Gospel is Completely Antithetical to Our Way of Life

John H. Armstrong September 6th, 2011

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For some years I have believed the gospel is good news about Jesus and his reign in this world and in the world to come. Thus we pray as our Lord taught us to pray: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” The gospel of the kingdom is not about grasping facts, repeating words or saying some version of the “Roman Road” with proof texts that invite a closing prayer. Do not misunderstand me - the death, burial and resurrection of the man … (Read More)

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Leadership: The Work of All Christians

John H. Armstrong July 11th, 2011

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My edition of Webster's New World Collegiate Dictionary says a leader is "a person that directs, commands or guides," And leadership is defined as "the position or guidance of a leader, the ability to lead or the leaders of a group." My Webster's New World Thesaurus says synonyms for leader include words such as: guide, precede, steer, pilot, direct, show the way, shepherd. The last one is particularly apropos for pastors and church leaders … (Read More)

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