by Stephan Joubert Originally published in the Beeld daily. A few years ago Bill George of the Harvard Business School conducted an ambitious study to try determine the characteristics of successful leaders. After interviews with 125 top leaders, he was…
by Stephan Joubert What can a plain old shoemaker do to change the world in honor of the Lord? That was the challenge facing William Carey (1761-1834). Then he became a part-time minister in a local English town. But his…
by Stephan Joubert On a day you sit in your car at the traffic light, and you incidentally notice an old lady walking across the room with her walking frame. And then, without planning it, your heart aches for her.…
by Stephan Joubert “The Lord laid it on my heart to write a book.” “I recorded my own gospel CD and want to share my music with your church.” “The Lord has given me a special revelation that I need…
by Stephan Joubert Jesus’s wonders and teachings were loaded with new life and hope. Talking about his teachings — the format and content thereof were simple, fresh and different. Jesus liked using parables and aphorisms to open new windows on…
by Stephan Joubert “I am called by God.” Many people say that, especially those in full-time ministry. Jesus indeed still calls people to follow Him. Just like He invited Levi or Nathaniel 2,000 years ago with the words: “Follow me!”…
This blog is from the pen of Bob Lupton. I don’t know him, but found this in a book by Jon Zens, entitled: The Pastor has no clothes. Moving from Clergy Centered Church to Christ Centered Ekklesia, 2011. “In time,…
by Stephan Joubert “Perhaps there is no more dangerous place for a Christian to be than in safety and comfort, detached from the suffering of others,” write Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw. Such spiritual comfort zones are more dangerous than…
by Stephan Joubert People like fitting in. Outliers are actually just trouble. And some people just don’t know what to do with those living outside the box. Fitting in is a requirement in most church settings. For instance, when posts…
by Stephan Joubert “Deus caritas est.” The faithful would argue that the ekklesia, the church, is (still) God’s religious institution of choice to give public expression to this profound message. However, far too many fossilized religious professionals and local churches…
