From One Degree to Another

Phil Auxier's Blog

Connect

MM – How does your family center on Christ during the holidays?

by

Ever since Thanksgiving, I’ve been musing on how my celebration of a holiday is distinct and different from the world. I think too often, our (Christian’s) celebration is merely the same kind of celebration as the world, except it’s maybe cleaner and we add Christ on top. But we have the same kind of greed for gifts and service out of obligation. So, what steps does your family take to celebrate the holiday in a way that distinctly points to Jesus?

Holiday Fun…

by

My wife tipped me off to this group: Straight No Chaser.

They are an accapella group from Indiana University who recently performed at the Christmas in Washington Spectacular. Here’s the video of their take on the song 12 Days (with over 9 million hits). Enjoy.

Tale of Despereaux

by

Tullian Tchividjian recommends we get out and see this latest movie. Evidently, The Tale of Despereaux is, according to Tullian’s good friend John Seel,

a compelling morality tale where themes of acceptance, sacrifice, forgiveness, beauty, light, and love find their narrative voice and compelling action.

Tullian’s post even includes discussion questions for the movie. This might be worth checking out during the holidays.

Don’t Waste Your Exit…

by

…or, as Justin Buzzard writes, How To Leave A Church. In this short post, he laments hearing of people leaving churches, but it reminded him of an article his college pastor wrote entitled, Putting Asunder: Some Thoughts on How To Quit Your Church. Among other things, three tips are given:
1) Leave deliberately
2) Leave graciously
3) Leave thankfully
This short article was so helpful and would demonstrate to the church from where you are departing the love of Christ.

White As Snow!

by

Last night I got home from Elder’s meeting around 10:30 and there was nothing on the ground. Got up to 4 inches and still snowing (and a meager 9 degree temperature).

Every time I experience the first snowfall, my mind runs to that oft-quoted verse (and incredible promise given through Isaiah):
“Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be white as snow”

Therefore, I’m gleeful with the snow, but eternally grateful for the purity I know in my heart through the Gospel.

TCT – What defines success in ministry?

by

Great question, isn’t it? For most in contemporary evangelicalism, success is determined by nickels and noses (budget/people). As we come to the conclusion of our series of posts on Total Church, the authors come to our aid and define success in terms of:

two competing models of growth: larger congregations versus more congregations (urging church plants over sheer numbers)

two competing models of leadership: leadership as performance versus leadership as enabling (urging leaders to faithfulness not busyness)

two competing models of success: a church of glory versus a church of the cross (urging Cross-centered weakness as a model for demonstrating God’s power)

This was really the icing on the top of the cake for me.

This balance is further expressed in the conclusion where the authors write:

Our proposals should not be viewed as a recipe for success nor a guarantee of authentic ministry. Christianity is not a strategy or a set of principles. It is a relationship of love with the Triune God. The gospel word and the gospel community must be central to Christian practice. But our hearts should be fixed on the grace of God, the love of God, and the glory of God. The only true center of Christian existence is God himself. (p.203)

So there it is full circle. This book has really helped me as a pastor to be more God-centered and to keep my eyes on Him, while I still pursue the wise engagement of outsiders. I commend this book to you in that regard.