douglas weaver

Rethinking the “Five-Fold Ministry” – Part 1

Much has been written over the last 2000 years concerning what has come to be called the “Five-Fold Ministry.” According to Frank Viola the modern iteration of this phrase was coined in 1824 by Edward Irving, a Presbyterian pastor in Scotland, who began teaching that “the five-fold ministry” of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers [...]

The Prime Apostolic Directive

In the flurry of activity and communication attempting to define the apostolic the focus generally tends to be on certain aspects such as the grace to lead, establish, set in order, or demonstrate the power of the Spirit: all of which are legitimate characteristics. But at the core of the apostolic grace and commission is [...]

Book Study: “Myth of a Christian Nation” chapter 7

This chapter is titled “When Chief Sinners Become Moral Guardians,” and continues from the previous chapter wherein Boyd looks at the negative consequences that occur due to believing the Myth of a Christian Nation. In that chapter he discussed three consequences: the harm to global and local missions, and the church’s commitment to trust “power [...]

Planting Christ – Not Church

Church planting is a hot topic within the emergent, missional and incarnational movements. Books, teachings and conferences abound to discuss strategies and networking for church planters, most of which is well-meaning and sincere. But I argue is sincerely misguided. For if we accurately assess Paul, Peter, Apollos and other “church planters” in the New Testament [...]

New Link: Adullam Communities

Anchored in Denver, CO, Adullam “is a congregational network of incarnational communities that are apprenticing kingdom people.” Lead by Hugh Halter and Matt Smay, who co-authored “The Tangible Kingdom,” this congregation is impacting Denver with the love of Jesus in real ways. Check them out here. Related Posts: Sentralized Conference: Session 1 Highlights

Sentralized Conference: Breakout Session with Deb Hirsch

I am focusing this post on Deb Hirsch’s breakout session titled “Missional in the Hard Places (reaching the GLBT community).” This was a particularly fascinating session in which Deb was quite transparent, revealing that prior to her coming to Christ she was engaged in a lesbian lifestyle. She opened with some challenging ideas… When we [...]

Sentralized Conference: Session 4

Session 4 featured Neil Cole, Deb Hirsch and Michael Frost – who all did a phenomenal job with the “after lunch” session. Neil, author of several books dealing mainly with “organic church” spoke first on “The Organic Nature of the Kingdom.” He utilized three acronyms which I believe are detailed in his books (none of [...]

Engage, Don’t Escape

“In the end there are only two attitudes which Christians can adopt toward the world. One is escape and the other is engagement.” ~ Stott This post has been stirring in my heart for some time, but when I saw John Stott’s quote posted by Hugh Halter I was compelled to get it out. For [...]

Sentralized Conference: Session 3

Dr. Eric Mason, co-founder and lead pastor of Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia, and Rickie Bradshaw, pastor of First Southwest Baptist Church in Houston spoke during the third session on “What Suburbanites Need to Know About Urban Missional.” Eric Mason Eric began by debunking some false assumptions about inner-city ministry. The idea that subsidized people need [...]

Sentralized Conference: Session 2

Session two featured Mindy Caliguire, Alan Hirsch, and Dan Kimball. Three different graces and messages, all of which were excellent. And I must say, having had the opportunity to spend time now with several of the speakers, these are some extremely humble, gracious and committed saints. Despite what some have written about Alan, Dan, and [...]