THE FORMISSION BLOG
Pentecostal Practices Part 4: Tithing
What would a renewal of the Pentecostal practice of tithing look like? My Story This might sound crazy, but growing up, I couldn’t wait until I had an income so that I could begin to tithe. I remember distinctly, after I came to know Jesus at age 12, proudly...
Pentecostal Practices Part 3: Sabbath
What would it mean to take up the long-forgotten Pentecostal Practice of Sabbath? Every Friday night for the past year or so in the Nippard house, there is a celebration. The laundry is done, the dishes are washed, a lavish dessert is brought to the table, and we...
Stand in the Stage
Have you ever caught yourself saying ‘well that’s no longer my stage of life’? How often when we speak of young families, of making room in the church for children, even doing things differently for teenagers, are we quick to think that stage is behind us. Too often...
Pentecostal Practices Part 2: Being Led by the Spirit
I realize the title is very broad. Being led by the Spirit is essentially what it means to follow Jesus. Maybe a story will help to clarify and narrow the definition I’m using here: Led by the Spirit: A Short Story I had just graduated Bible College and was working at...
Pentecostal Practices Part 1: Daily Devotions
What are Pentecostal practices? Let me begin by painting a picture of the kind of life I suspect we want as Pentecostals. As you read these scriptural portraits, try to imagine yourself walking in them in your day-to-day life. Praying in the Spirit. (Romans 8:14-27)...
The Christmas Commission
Matthew’s gospel ends with an incredible sentence that is seldom fully appreciated: “And surely I am with you always, even to the very end of the age” (Matt 28:20). It comes at the conclusion of my absolute favourite scripture: The Great Commission: "Then Jesus came...
Sons and daughters. Loved. Favoured.
I've been meditating on Matthew 3:17 a lot this year, how the Father says of Jesus at his baptism, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” This is before Jesus is recorded as doing anything remarkable. It is not transactional, but is based in an...
Ministry Faithfulness: Are We Being Faithful to Our Calling?
An atheist, a Christian author, and a cameraman walk into a megachurch. It sounds like the preamble of a joke, but it is actually the premise of a book, “Jim and Casper go to church.” In a now-famous scene, amidst the noise, smoke and lights, self-professed athiest...
Spiritual Gifts for Church Health
How do spiritual gifts affect church health? To give a real-life example, I had the pleasure of serving for almost 7 years on the staff of a truly healthy church. I realize how blessed I am to be able to say that. The church’s health affected me in every way, and I...
Is Our View of Spiritual Gifts too Small?
“The Kingdom of God is God in action, and that happens to turn out to be the exact same thing as grace.” – Dallas Willard I sat agape watching this interview with Dallas Willard almost a decade ago, surrounded by my colleagues at pastor’s conference, but suddenly...