“Value-adding” is a term used by economists and others to refer to how a product or service can be enhanced, added to, or improved so that it can attract a higher price. I want to apply this term to a church. In one way this is a bit foolish! The value of a church is […]
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your […]
If you haven’t faced disagreement in ministry yet, today must be your first day. The very nature of working with people means we will have conflict. Humans don’t always see eye to eye on all matters, and when we add in the multiple cultures, histories, and church backgrounds of the international church we find ourselves […]
Late the other night as my husband Philippe and I were driving home from a service at our church, the name of a dear friend popped up on my caller ID. Knowing it must be urgent, I tapped the green button to hear, “Jan, I’m so afraid!” Probing a bit, I discovered she was home […]
In his blog, LeadingWithQuestions, Bob Tiede presents a 5-part series from the book Culture Rules: The Leader’s Guide to Creating the Ultimate Competitive Advantage by Mark Miller. Bob Tiede is with CRU and on the U.S. Leadership Development Team. While Mark Miller’s book targets organizations and companies, his three Rules for Building Your Culture along with […]
As this article reaches your inbox we will be hosting the fourth gathering of our church plant, Grace International Church of Oslo. If it’s anything like our first three gatherings, a mixture of international families and single folks from churched and unchurched backgrounds will sit across the table from one another at our fellowship meal. […]
The death and resurrection of Jesus is by far the most significant event in human history. Yet, it would not have happened if Jesus had not been willing to persevere and stay the course. His prayer in Gethsemane is telling: “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.” (Matthew 26:39) […]
Reading these INCENDIUM articles every week from International Church leaders around the world is FANTASTIC: sound theology, intriguing practice, different geographic regions, various opinions. The kaleidoscope of sources, writers and people starting and strengthening the International Church is very exciting! I’d like to get personal with this “letter” and recall some MICN history while creating […]
Sometimes, when Rachel and I are staying in France, we take our car to go to Paris. There, usually stuck in traffic, we regularly see police cars fly by us at full speed, lights and sirens on, forcing their way through traffic, heading to some urgent business somewhere. Because this must have annoyed more than one of […]
“This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” Matthew 24:14 New International Version This verse is one that I am due to refer to in a talk later this month, when our church has a missions’ service. Reflecting […]