Today on my 45th birthday I’m sharing some reflections on life, faith, parenting, and some areas in which I’m still trying to grow. I’m grateful for the journey so far!
Tag: mark adams
God’s Nature, Presence, and Mystery
A collection of aphorisms exploring how God’s eternal nature, His presence, and His mystery shape our faith and trust through His unseen work.
I. The Nature of Conflict
Conflict is unavoidable, but it’s not always negative. Learn how to embrace conflict as an opportunity for growth, deeper relationships, and healthier leadership.
Profound Quotes by Carl Jung
This is a small collection of significant quotes by Carl Jung, accompanied by some imagery they inspired.
Haikus From Ephesians
Here is a collection of devotional Haikus based on various passages from Ephesians.
How Do You Pay Your Volunteers?
Effective leadership involves not only providing guidance and direction but also fostering a supportive and encouraging environment. Through our method of leadership, we want to motivate volunteers, boost their morale, and create a sustainable and fulfilling volunteer experience. How do you “pay” your volunteers?
08 | Faith in Community
One of the most important ways we are formed is through the Christian community. The church gives us examples of faith in all stages of life, and friends who encourage us and support us through our struggles. Be intentional about how you connect with people who can help you grow, and in whom you can invest.
02 | Pathways to God
Even though your life is unique, it is helpful to consider what has helped other people to grow closer to God. Here are some basic frameworks for thinking about God, pathways to God, and typical moves that faith can involve as you engage with these practices.
01 | Five Foundations for Spiritual Growth
Here are five foundational ideas for how Spiritual Growth works, and a challenge for you to try.
Digital Church: Our New Virtual Frontiers
Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence are here to stay. How might we harness their potential for the Kingdom of God?
Design on the Grid
To make slides more impactful, pay attention to the basic principles of photography.
Groups Can Be Good
In many settings, identifying groups can lead to negative things. But to encourage positive change, it can benefit a person to know how and with whom they identify themselves.
Remember: You’re On A 2-Way Street
One of the most helpful books I’ve read in a while is Bowdle’s Rethink Communication. It’s all specifically about churches and how we communicate. I
You Have Ten Minutes
People’s lives are constantly stimulated and distracted. To keep them with you, you must vary your content style frequently.
Don’t Replace Yourself WIth Slides
If it’s all on your slides, why do they need you? Let visuals be an aid, not a replacement.
Speak to the Middle Space
Speak to the intersection of theology and life. If your theology doesn’t “become flesh” it won’t provide anything useful.
Don’t Send Rabbits Running
People are distracted enough as it is. Don’t contribute to your listeners’ struggle to focus on your message.
Rethinking How We Interpret Scripture with Rachel Howell
In this episode, we talk with Rachel Howell about Biblical interpretation. A scholar and missionary herself, Rachel has taken a deep dive into Alexander Campbell’s influence on Churches of Christ in the way we view and interpret Scripture. She will critique some areas of imbalance and suggest what it might look like to build an even healthier hermeneutic as we move forward.
Speak To The Senses
One of the best ways to make a story come to life is to help people explore it through their senses.
Advice for Young Ministers: A Conversation
Dr. Mark Adams sits down with Dr. Kevin Burr to share some experiential advice for young ministers…and really, for anyone looking to grow spiritually.
Top 10 Posts of 2020
Looking back at 2020, here were the most viewed posts at Kingdom Upgrowth.
Mark Powell: Discipleship in Community
Mark Powell talks about Discipleship in Community, a book he co-wrote containing a theological vision for the future of churches of Christ.
Getting to Know the God of Israel
Scripture speaks often of the “God of Israel.” But who did Israel believe that God was? What kind of a God did Israel envision as she worshiped? Dr. John D. Fortner provides insight into this compassionate, active God we encounter in Scripture.
Helping Your Tribe Be Healthy
What does it actually look like for people to get healthier incrementally? How do we help dysfunctional tribes become high-functioning teams? Here are a few ideas.
John 21 Commentary
A commentary on John 21, this week’s suggested reading from the Gospel of John featuring Kevin Burr.
John 20 Commentary
A commentary on John 20, this week’s suggested reading from the Gospel of John featuring Kevin Burr.
Fresh Ideas for Church Leaders
How can we lead our churches in healthier ways? Research Spotlight is a collection of live interviews with leading scholars, based on their original research.
Helping Members Find Where They Fit with Dr. Matt Carter
Dr. Matt Carter shares best practices for helping every member in your church identify a ministry in which they can connect and flourish.
John 19 Commentary
A commentary on John 19, this week’s suggested reading from the Gospel of John featuring Kevin Burr.
John 18 Commentary
A commentary on John 17, this week’s suggested reading from the Gospel of John featuring Kevin Burr.
John 17 Commentary
A commentary on John 17, this week’s suggested reading from the Gospel of John featuring Kevin Burr.
John 16 Commentary
A commentary on John 16, this week’s suggested reading from the Gospel of John featuring Dr. Mark Powell.
John 15 Commentary
A commentary on John 15, this week’s suggested reading from the Gospel of John featuring Dr. Mark Powell.
John 14 Commentary
A commentary on John 14, this week’s suggested reading from the Gospel of John featuring Dr. Mark Powell.
John 13 Commentary
A commentary on John 13, this week’s suggested reading from the Gospel of John featuring Mark Powell.
John 12 Commentary
A commentary on John 12, this week’s suggested reading from the Gospel of John featuring Lauren Calvin Cooke.
John 11 Commentary
A commentary on John 11, this week’s suggested reading from the Gospel of John featuring Lauren Calvin Cooke.
John 10 Commentary
A commentary on John 9, this week’s suggested reading from the Gospel of John featuring Lauren Calvin Cooke.
John 9 Commentary
A commentary on John 9, this week’s suggested reading from the Gospel of John featuring Lauren Calvin Cooke.
John 8 Commentary
A commentary on John 8, this week’s suggested reading from the Gospel of John featuring Dr. Kindy De Long.
John 7 Commentary
A commentary on John 7, this week’s suggested reading from the Gospel of John featuring Dr. Kindy De Long.
John 6 Commentary
A commentary on John 6, this week’s suggested reading from the Gospel of John featuring Dr. Kindy De Long.
Reading John Through Ancient Eyes
Kevin Burr helps us gain a more culturally-informed view of John’s Gospel. What would John’s original audience have assumed that we might not? This conversation helps to bridge the gap.
John 5 Commentary
A commentary on John 5, this week’s suggested reading from the Gospel of John featuring Dr. Kindy De Long.
Reading John Theologically
Dr. Mark Powell of the Harding School of Theology talks about how John’s Gospel enhances our understanding about God.
Reading John Theologically with Dr. Mark Powell
Dr. Mark Powell of the Harding School of Theology talks about how John’s Gospel enhances our understanding about God.
John 4 Commentary
A commentary on John 4, this week’s suggested reading from the Gospel of John featuring Dr. Keith Stanglin.
John’s Unique Voice
Dr. Kindy De Long shares insights into some of the things that John’s Gospel uniquely contributes to the Gospels’ telling of the story of Jesus. What might John be showing us that he considers of special importance?
John 2 Commentary
A commentary on this week’s suggested reading from the Gospel of John featuring Dr. Keith Stanglin.
Join us for a Journey Through John!
In 2020 we’re going on a journey through John’s Gospel. We hope you’ll come, too!