Decision Making and the Will of God: A Response

Dennis McCallum and Gary DeLashmutt
Gary Frieson's book by this title is controversial, and, in our view, extreme. The following points represent a measure of agreement as well as difference. We advance these points for discussion and debate.

Dependent Relationship Clusters

Dennis McCallum
The notion that leadership neglect is abuse, for instance, suggests an understanding of leadership that is analogous to parents and children. This is out of order. Children are entirely dependent on their parents, and must be supervised closely at all times. Therefore neglecting them is abusive. This argument cannot be applied to church leaders and their members without accepting a dependency model that conforms somewhat to the descriptions of addiction in Toxic Faith.

Discussion Questions on Christology

Dennis McCallum and Gary DeLashmutt
We notice that Christian students often feel they don't need to study Christology. These questions help them see they don't have all the answers they need.

Effective Leaders Meetings

Doug Patch
"Effective!" Is that how you would describe your meetings? Do you even have leaders' meetings or believe they are a waste of time? It is difficult to imagine how a leader can effectively communicate to the home church – verbally and by modeling – excitement and direction for evangelism and discipleship without healthy leaders meetings that evaluate the success and direction of the group. Here is a brief guide on how leaders' meetings can help a home church "stay the course."

Factors in Leading Change in the Church

Dennis McCallum
We should consider a number of special factors when our leadership is taking people from an established way of doing things to a new way.