Monthly Archives: October 2010

Two Areas of Deafness in Church Leaders

October 18th, 2010

I think the worst tool ever foisted onto the Church is the spiritual gifts inventory. What could be worse than a host of people checking off boxes of gifts in a list that align with their own jaundiced view of themselves? What genuine surprises come from filling out a form according to one’s view of [...]

by Dan Edelen • Comments (10)

Posted in Christianity in North America • Church Issues • Community • Discernment • Godly Character • Leadership • Maturity • Relevance

Tagged Church Leaders, Discipleship, Equipping the Saints, False Prophets, Growth, Holy Spirit, Leadership, Listening to the Holy Spirit, Maturity, Pastors, Spiritual Advisors, Spiritual Gifts

Failing the Sniff Test

October 14th, 2010

The last few days, I’ve been unable to shake this thought: In what ways do American Christians appear different from their non-Christian neighbors? I’m sure each of us knows of people who volunteer their time to help the less fortunate, take opportunities to seek out deeper meaning in life, are kind and considerate, who engage [...]

by Dan Edelen • Comments (14)

Posted in Boldness • Charismatic • Christianity in North America • Church Issues • Counterculture • Discernment • Godhead • Godly Character • Maturity • Obedience • Supernaturalism • The Holy Spirit

Tagged Action, Aroma, Aroma of Christ, Born Again, Discernment, Guidance, Holy Spirit, Led by the Spirit, Listening to the Holy Spirit, Maturity, Sniff Test, Spiritual Maturity, Supernaturalism, Wordliness

Hardship, Blame, and the Real Will of God

October 12th, 2010

One phenomenon I’ve noted in the American Church that keeps getting resurrected and used as a club to beat frustrated and hurting Christian is this issue of who is at fault when things go awry. In the Christian pantheon of blame, these four are the most prominent whipping boys: God Satan The Individual Society Frankly, [...]

by Dan Edelen • Comments (8)

Posted in Benevolence • Christianity in North America • Church Issues • Community • Counterculture • Godly Character • Grace • Hospitality • Leadership • Obedience • Relevance • Simplicity

Tagged Benevolence, Blame, Charity, Church Issues, Community, God, God's Will, Hardship, Love, Mercy, Satan, Society, Trials, Victory