What Do You Mean By "Missional Church?"

The Kermit Gosnell Trial

While I am more than sympathetic to the feeling of burnout from bad news, I think it is important for every American to be aware of a trial currently in process in Philadelphia.  Kermit Gosnell ran an abortion clinic in an impoverished neighborhood of that city for years, until an investigation regarding drug sales turned up a virtual shop of horrors – and prosecutable evidence of eight deaths: one adult and seven different children that were born alive from a botched abortion procedure and then killed on the table.  Gosnell is only being tried in those live abortion deaths because of evidence and records.  Testimony speaks of this as a common practice done “hundreds” of times.

There are two stories here.  One is the man and his crimes.  The second is the virtual blackout by mainstream media.  No links here to NBC, CBS, ABC, NY Times, Washington Post or the like.  Both stories point to evil of dramatic proportions.

Here are links to a number of sources for your own consideration:

Rest In Peace Ragamuffin

I was saddened by the news of Brennan Manning's death this past Friday. He taught me much about the Gospel of Grace through his book Ragamuffin Gospel.  I'm glad to honor his memory by sharing this passage, also referred to in Tullian Tchividjian's wonderful memorial.

Put bluntly, the American church today accepts grace in theory but denies it in practice. We say we believe that the fundamental structure of reality is grace, not works–but our lives refute our faith. By and large, the gospel of grace is neither proclaimed, understood, nor lived. Too many Christians are living in a house of fear and not in the house of love.