Category Archives: Church Renewal

My processing on the emergent or emerging church and church renewal in general

Ministries of Mercy

Posted on March 11, 2010 by rbirkey

I just started reading a book by Timothy J. Keller called Ministries of Mercy: The call of the Jericho Road as a part of a new strategy group at my church, formed to explore the biblical principles and practice of the … Continue reading →

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House Churches are Isolationist and Cult-Like?

Posted on January 15, 2010 by rbirkey

Question: Are house churches more likely than conventional churches to become isolationist and cult-like? Apparently at least one blogger thinks so, and had the guts to quote George Barna’s research to support his assertion! Author and researcher George Barna responds … Continue reading →

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My Ministry Age

Posted on October 13, 2009 by rbirkey

In the recent issue of Christianity Today Magazine, there is an interesting quiz that helps one determine their “ministry age” by answering a series of 25 multiple choice questions. It was developed by Jimmy Long of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship to … Continue reading →

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The Red Dot Approach

Posted on September 13, 2009 by rbirkey

As mentioned in an earlier post, a good friend recently gave me a book to read by Dr. Larry Crabb entitled: “Real Church: Does it Exist? Can I Find It?” I have finished reading the book and have been reflecting on … Continue reading →

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The House Church Book

Posted on July 30, 2009 by rbirkey

I am happy to announce that “The House Church Book : Non Emergent New Testament Prototype“ has been completed and is now available online as a PDF downloadable eBook. This book is a revised and updated version of my father’s … Continue reading →

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Can a Real Church be found?

Posted on July 24, 2009 by rbirkey

In a challenging and healthy discussion among friends this morning the topic of Larry Crabb’s most recent book came up. Real Church: Does it exist? Can I find it? is the title to Dr. Crabb’s most recent book. I find … Continue reading →

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To the church in…

Posted on July 21, 2009 by rbirkey

Every once in awhile I like to go to the back of the Bible and read the letters to the 7 churches found in the first few chapters of John’s Revelation. I like to insert my own town name in … Continue reading →

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The Prodigal God

Posted on February 8, 2009 by rbirkey

I have recently finished reading The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith another great book by author Tim Keller. As you might imagine, this book is about the parable that Jesus told that is usually called “The … Continue reading →

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A New “Senior Pastor”

Posted on August 24, 2008 by rbirkey

Today was quite an exciting day in the life of the church I attend and am a member of. We have been without a “Senior Pastor” for almost three years. Today, we “elected” a new one who will be starting … Continue reading →

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Still Submergent After All These Years

Posted on July 13, 2008 by rbirkey

Why We’re Not Emergent: By Two Guys Who Should Be is a recent book by Kevin Deyoung & Ted Kluck, published by Moody Publishers of Chicago. The authors explore and define the “Emergent” movement within Christianity, and call it to … Continue reading →

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