We have just come off a tricky series regarding the Deconstruction of our faith. So it might behoove us to spend a little time in Scripture, studying from some books that dealt with conflict, unity, and a singular spirit hoped for in the Christian Ecclesia (community).These little letters are called that because they are relatively small, they use straightforward language to transfer profound theo...  Read More

INTROThe following is a guide to help facilitate discussion. Feel free to add or subtract or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.OPENHave you ever helped to build something (a house, a car, a mission project, an art piece, etc…)?  What did the process feel like and how did you feel when it was done?HEADRead Luke 6: 46-49 together and share any wi...  Read More

Before we end this part of the series, and remember, there will be a second season of this series, I wanted to say something that I think is important. It is okay to doubt, to question, and to want to understand more about your faith, your God, and your community. Some people would want you to think that it is somehow being unfaithfu to ask questions, to wonder, and to look for new and dynamic ans...  Read More

If you are going to build back, you need to lay a foundation that will be strong, flexible, and will be true. That means you are going to need to get your priorities straight. You are going to need to think about your Christology first, and you are going to need to go back to that discussion again and again in order to make sure the ground on which you build this house is not on sinking sand. I kn...  Read More

Now, it can’t all be bad can it? Everything that we learned, everything that we lived. When we deconstruct our faith, are we just standing in the rubble asking to have it all thrown out the window? Or are there things that might be good for us to use in order to build out faith and faith communities back in a way that not only honors God, but also allows others to be invited into the kingdom of Go...  Read More

When the disciples began to follow Jesus, they seemed to experience a life that was not exactly what they were looking for. In fact, in Matthew 8 Jesus talks about how difficult following will be. They should not expect even shelter or food. This is the cost of discipleship, and it is pretty steep. Perhaps part of the problem with our confusion about what a life of faith will entail is that we hav...  Read More