Dennis McCallum

Justice and discipline in love aren't the same thing; they aren't even similar! Christians need to keep crystal clear in their thinking on this issue, lest we portray God as judging Christians.

Jim Leffel

I am convinced that as the social and ideological landscape changes, the way Christians approach evangelism in the university is in need of change. All too often, we continue taking the same approach that we did two or three decades ago--only to a new generation that no longer accepts many of our key assumptions. Here's one measure of what I mean: Twenty years ago when I was an undergraduate philosophy major, Christianity was largely rejected because it was thought to be "unscientific" and consequently untrue. But today Christianity is widely rejected, not because it was carefully examined and found wanting, but merely because it claims to be true.

Dennis McCallum

Dwell sees itself as an underground indigenous house church-planting movement. - Underground means that our growth is primarily through neighborhood groups, not through large worship services or seekers meetings. It also implies the leaders of home churches are all lay people (i.e. they are not professionals, but "tentmakers"). Even when staffers lead home groups, they receive no compensation for that part of their ministry. A church planting movement is a grassroots movement, not a staff-driven movement. - Indigenous, means the leadership for the home churches has to come from within the home churches themselves via a process of personal discipleship. Dwell leaders would ask even experienced leaders from other churches to spend time in a home church becoming one of the trusted leaders in that group before sending them out with their own group. - House Church-planting movement, means the development of such groups, if carried out properly, should lead to multiplication, or exponential growth, unlike plans where a central office arranges groups from lists of applicants and leaders. In a church planting movement, the impetus for planting churches comes from within each group. Church planting also implies that the groups are relatively self-sufficient for ministry, as opposed to groups that are heavily dependent on program-heavy worship services or the central leadership of the church.

Dennis McCallum and Gary DeLashmutt

Inspiration - "theopneustos" - God so moved the authors of Scripture that the resulting product was the Word of God written, totally without error in the autographs, in every area including theology, history, geography, and science.

Dennis McCallum

Vision has always been considered an important component in leadership, both in Christian and secular circles. The term usually refers to the ability leaders have to form a plan for the future and to get others excited about their plan. Often, leaders have less a plan, but more of a simple picture of a possible future, and let people sort out the action steps toward that more general picture.

Dennis McCallum

We have seen excellent results using this book as a basis for both small group and classroom study. The book challenges young and mature Christians alike to seek maturity in Christ at all costs, and to do so through the power of God, not self-effort. Romans 5-8 is the most complete and exciting explanation of Christian growth in any of the letters of Paul. I hope you are challenged and edified by this wonderful passage that never grows old.

Dennis McCallum

Watchman Nee was only one of many players in the drama of the struggle for the heart of the Chinese people, but he was one of the most interesting. His Little Flock movement was more influential in planting house churches throughout China than many realize. His career also demonstrates some of the problems the church can inherit when patriotism is confused with Christianity.

Jim Leffel

Recreational marijuana use has been decisively rejected by Christians because of its psychoactive properties and tendency to perpetuate a lethargic and selfish lifestyle. But as cannabis is increasingly being legalized for medical use, a new discussion is emerging within the church about whether or under what conditions its use would be appropriate. This essay presents an overview of the key issues and suggests some practical guidelines for potential cannabis users and leaders who will need to provide a biblical response to them.

Dennis McCallum

Repeatedly, the New Testament refers to Christians as being "in Christ" or "in him." This phrase, often tacked on to statements, is referring to our position in Christ-- a position we receive as a result of spiritual baptism into Christ (Romans 6:1-11). When considering the impact of the blessings promised in this connection, one must conclude that the doctrine of our standing in Christ is one of the most important in the New Testament.

Dennis McCallum

We can describe leaders from several perspectives, each of which casts a different light on what goes into the complex task of leadership.