Dennis McCallum and Gary DeLashmutt

This book by Forster and Marsdon, takes a provocative and, we think, persuasive approach to the question of unconditional election and the exegesis of Romans 9. We have our students read the book and prepare responses to these statements, interacting with the scripture cited. All but # 5 are indisputably true, contrary to what many Arminian believers think.

Dennis McCallum

Our leadership course stresses that "there's more than one way to skin a cat." We feel that leaders working within a too-definite paradigm become easily frustrated when things don't go as they should. However, for new leaders, a simple model can be useful in gaining a general idea of where to head with a home churches. The following model gives a general idea of how individuals and home churches at Dwell progress. Note that the years are general guidelines, and that these may change substantially depending on the age and marital status of the group. Also the "stages" of discipleship are imaginary and never actually exist exactly as described. The diagram reads from left to right, and then from top to bottom, before starting over.

Dennis McCallum

Dwell home churches are led by teams. This offers a number of advantages, but can cause problems as well. A successful home Church must maintain the unity of its leaders. Disunited teams usually can't lead home church growth and the strength of relationships among leaders directly affects meeting quality. Strong groups nearly always have skilled encouragers and visionaries on board with the maturity to work as a team. For these reasons, it is essential that home church leaders learn to deal with conflicts maturely and quickly. When working with fellow leaders, the following considerations are helpful.

Dennis McCallum

Financial stewardship is a central area of Christian living. Authorities on scripture claim that Jesus taught more on money than any other subject. The epistles also teach often about giving, including strong language warning against refusal to give. Generous giving is presented in the same light as learning scripture, preaching, earnestness for God, and practicing Christian love: "But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also" (2 Corinthians 8:7).