The Better Ministry

As you look at the image atop this article, you can’t help but to focus on the seemingly delicious red apple in the center.  But if you look beyond it, you see an orchard full of apples, each tree brimming with fruit.  That is a glimmer of what is meant in Scripture when it comes to the words fruitful and multiply, from being trees planted in the word of God and nourished by the Holy Spirit, to sharing all we’ve been blessed with for the glory and enjoyment of God. Derivations of the word fruitful are found over 200 times in Scripture, and the word multiply is used in nearly 100 passages. When you think of the fruit of the Spirit, bearing fruit in the vine of Christ, and spreading the gospel to the whole world, you are just beginning to recognize the full extent of fruitful and multiply in Scripture. But only a small number of those instances refer to procreation, and even then, it required more than reproduction to support families, communities and nations. This short article focuses

In my extensive travels to over 200 larger churches (with over 1,500 members) nationwide, I've observed a diverse range of focuses and practices within church communities. To help understand and compare the roles they serve, I've developed a diagram that balances Faithful, Biblical, Cultural, and Satisfying aspects. This framework aims to guide church leaders and mature Christians in recognizing their church's strengths and opportunities for growth. By plotting your position on this diagram using the X (Cultural to Biblical) and Y (Satisfying to Faithful) axes, you can better understand and appreciate the dynamics at play in your church, without passing judgment on the distinct missions of others. Serving (Cultural and Faithful) Serving (Cultural and Faithful): This quadrant represents those who focus on actively helping others and engaging with their community, driven by a sense of duty and commitment. It appeals to those who prioritize cultural relevance while maintainin

As we reach the culmination of our theological journey, we recognize the importance of committing fully to an all-encompassing understanding of theology. This commitment is about aligning our beliefs with the entirety of reality, resolving conflicts, and striving for a mature, integrated faith. However, it’s essential to understand that starting at any point on this journey is valuable. If diving into a fully mature theology feels overwhelming, beginning with any of the steps we've discussed is better than not starting at all. A more mature theology provides confidence and assurance in all decisions that affect us personally, morally, and universally. When our beliefs are aligned with reality and integrated across all aspects of our lives, we gain a deeper sense of purpose and clarity. This comprehensive understanding helps us navigate life's complexities with greater ease and resilience. Personal conflicts and doubts can hold us back, creating instability and fear. By confront

As we continue our exploration of theology, we reach a point where integrating personal experiences and moral insights with empirical knowledge becomes essential. This integration forms the foundation of what we call universal theology—a comprehensive understanding of the divine that aligns with the entirety of reality. Universal theology seeks to reconcile our personal and moral beliefs with the observable and empirical truths of the world around us. It's an approach that recognizes the limitations of human understanding and strives to align our theological perspectives with the broader, universal truths that govern existence. This means embracing scientific knowledge, historical evidence, and the accumulated wisdom of humanity as part of our theological framework. One of the key challenges in achieving universal theology is overcoming the artificial constructs that can arise from personal and moral theologies. Personal theologies, while comforting, can be limited by individual bi

As we journey further into understanding theology, we recognize that our personal beliefs are only one piece of a larger puzzle. Our individual theologies are deeply influenced by the communities we're part of and the shared values that bind us together. This is where moral theology comes into play, emphasizing the importance of collective moral and ethical standards in shaping our theological understanding. Moral theology is not just about adhering to a set of rules or doctrines; it's about engaging in a collaborative process of learning and growing together. This shared learning helps us refine our personal beliefs, reconcile conflicts, and build a more cohesive understanding of the divine. Through community interactions, discussions, and shared practices, we develop a moral framework that guides our actions and decisions. However, it's important to acknowledge that cultural and societal influences can sometimes lead to conflicts within our personal theologies. For instan

Our personal experiences play a crucial role in shaping our understanding of the divine. From childhood, we encounter various ideas and experiences that inform our beliefs about the world and our place in it. These early influences, whether familial, educational, or social, form the bedrock of our personal theology. Personal theology is deeply individual, reflecting our unique life experiences and perspectives. It is a journey of discovery, where we continuously refine our beliefs based on new experiences and insights. This evolving nature of personal theology allows us to adapt and grow, seeking meaning and understanding in the face of life's challenges and changes. However, personal theologies often face conflicts and growing doubts that can hold us back in all areas of life. For example, if someone believes that all suffering is a punishment from a higher power, they might struggle with guilt and self-blame during tough times, affecting their mental health and relationships. Sim