I’ve been focusing my reading lately to theological views on the Holy Spirit. There are some great books out there and thanks to the excellent Library at Mercer University’s Atlanta campus where I office, I get to read them before deciding which to buy. Recently, I read Church: Charism and Power by Leonardo Boff. It … Continue reading
Author Archives: Matt Norman
Advent helps us Remember the Reality of the Gospel.
The gospel is not a message it is a reality. The gospel is not an idea or ideology. We are not called to convince or outwit others into belief of the gospel. The gospel is reality. We recognize this reality through Christ—God incarnate. The gospel is both evident and mysterious, both compelling and elusive, it … Continue reading
How do we grow?
How do we grow? It may seem like a simple question. “How do we grow?” Yet what flows off the tongue so easily is rarely easy to answer. First, what does the question mean? Continue reading
Interested in serving?
Interested in serving as CBF Global Missions field personnel? If so, you need to participate in our online cohort which begins on Oct 18th. Continue reading
Learning in Dialogue
Part of my work in global missions involves facilitating education and lifelong-learning opportunities for field-personnel, individuals and churches as we participate together in the Mission of God. For the past 3 years I have been using Dialogue education methodology that I learned while studying at Fuller Theological Seminary. Here is a review of a great book on the subject. If you … Continue reading
I’m sorry but it’s the Baptist in me.
Perhaps you have heard the same weary questions, “What can we do to bring young people back into our church?” “Why are we declining?” “Our funding is becoming lower each month, what are we going to do to?” “What is the future of Baptists?” “Will Baptists exist in 50 years, and what of organizations like … Continue reading
I Hope
Sitting on the couch downstairs in the family room, I continued hearing a faint chorus float down from my daughters room. At first, I didn’t pay it any attention, yet like most things that are important, the sound lingered until I looked over at my wife and asked, “What are they doing up there?”. It … Continue reading
Worldview, Leadership and Relationship
A major theme in my life is motion. I have made fourteen major moves with international relocations to Uganda, Greece, Canada, and the USA. The paradox is that all the relocations actually taught me the importance of deep relationships. Friendships matured quickly because we were not sure how long we had together. The vulnerability of … Continue reading
Meet me back in Galilee
During church yesterday, the pastor focused in upon Matthew 28 but focused on an interesting part of this chapter that easily goes overlooked. Is not it interesting that the angel tells the women that Jesus will appear to the Disciples in Galilee. In this gospel, Jesus takes it back to their home—their neighborhood—and appears to … Continue reading
Young Adult Ministry Killing the Church?
There is an interesting article in an online magazine that asks if young adult ministries are killing the church. What a crazy question. Everyone knows that it is usually our ecclesiology—our understanding of church—that kills (maybe that is a strong word), impedes the church. (Hear the facetiousness.) Continue reading
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