Preach the gospel always; if necessary, use words.

For years I’ve heard and seen people use that quote to sum up the missional lifestyle and missional church. And why not – at first glance it sounds great. Most people have interpreted it to mean “don’t just preach with words, but preach with actions”.

But that’s the problem – the quote requires interpretation. It’s not that it’s multi-faceted or really deep, it just doesn’t make much sense. It’s the equivalent of saying “Give me your telephone number; if necessary, use digits.”

Even worse, for years this quote has been attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi, yet there is no record of him ever having said or written this statement.

Maybe, just maybe, it comes down to this: without the gospel, good works are nothing more than good works, and the gospel, when not lived out, is nothing more than hypocrisy.

HT: Jared Wilson

Went to Shreveport/Bossier City, LA for vacation the first half of this week and had a wonderful time. Between the Boardwalk, Barksdale AFB and Youree Drive I think I packed a lot into four days, and on a low budget too. To see some of the pics, click here.

Also, if you haven’t yet seen Inception, what are you waiting for? Definitely the best movie of the Summer to date.

Anyways, here’s some of the posts I came across in the last seven days that really stood out.

People of the Second Chance have cranked out a few new desktop & iPhone backgrounds.

Thomas Nelson CEO Michael Hyatt with some great advice – Don’t Wrestle With Pigs.

Tired of churches that try to sell you on the “Jesus makes everything better” idea (as if Jesus were some sort of condiment)? Instead of McDonalds, try McJesus!

How important is The Virgin Birth to the Christian faith?

I’ll admit, I’m torn on this post. Both parents are retired Marines, so I was raised to be grateful that I live in America. While far from perfect, I truly believe there is no better place to live. BUT…… it’s those imperfections which cause me to at least agree in part with Celeste in her post on why national flags don’t belong in church.

A very moving post from Carole Turner that epitomizes what being missional is all about - Sharon Is A Prostitute.

John Piper answers the question: When Should You Confront Someone About Their Sin?

Paul Allen on how having a vision statement doesn’t mean you have vision.

Jesus commanded us to “love one another”, yet, at times, that command is very difficult to obey. Jo Hilder breaks down why it’s so hard to love others.

“It’s always easier to call fear something other than ‘fear’.” – Scott Hodge on Spiritualizing Fear

Jared Wilson asks, “Could persecution, should it come, be the best thing to happen to the American church?” in his post The Blessing of Persecution.

When’s the last time you were talking to someone face-to-face and, at the same time, texting, Twittering or on Facebook? A very, very insightful post from Tim Stevens advising us that wherever you are… be fully there.

“Most of us have said (or at least thought) at some point, ‘I wish God would just show up and speak.’ The truth is, he has.” – Jamie Munson on Everything God Wanted To Say.

Bryan Roberts discusses the dangers of thinking your church is the best church.

Sometimes I like what Glenn Beck has to say. Other times…… well, let’s just say this is one of those other times. Julie Clawson on Glenn Beck and A Neighborless Christianity.

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