Resources on David Fitch

Leadership, Humility, Service, Incarnation

Preaching and Spiritual Formation

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

David Fitch explores the differences between teaching and preaching, observing that teaching is informational, while preaching is the proclamation of Jesus Christ and the confrontation with a new reality to which we have to respond.

Confession, Life, Spiritual, Discipleship, Kingdom Of God

The Incarnational Approach to Leading in Our Disagreements

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

David Fitch describes an incarnational approach to church leadership, in contrast to autocratic and democratic styles. Its goal is to say "it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us" (Acts 15:28).

Incarnation, Conflict, Disagreement, Pastoral Leadership

When They Will Not Come

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

Scripture Meditation or Sermon, Article about Church Life and Leadership

David Fitch writes on Acts 2:42-47, arguing that community is the foundation for all we are as the church and for God’s mission to the world.

Acts 2:42-47

Discipleship, Church, Community, Missions

Organize Gifts for the Neighborhood, Not the Church

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

David Fitch suggests that churches organize the gifts of the Spirit in community members (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) around "what God’s doing in the neighborhood," rather than around Sunday worship and programs in the church building.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11

Gifts Of The Spirit, Missions, Neighbor, Discipleship

Oikos versus Ekklesia

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

Article about Worship and the Sacraments

David Fitch describes the difference between oikos and ekklesia—private and public worship—in the early church, and how practicing and integrating both can shape congregational worship today. Suggestions for congregational worship included.

Missions, Eucharist, Witness, Worship Planning

Changing the Expectations of Church Planting

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

David Fitch suggests different expectations for church planting, including more gradual growth, living in the neighborhood, listening so as to tailor the way the gospel is proclaimed, and not overhyping the program.

Church, Gospel, Hope, Listening

Please Lord, Don’t Let Me Get Pragmatic

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

David Fitch reflects on Psalm 37:1-6, reminding pastors and church leaders against a temptation to go pragmatic in their fears instead of investing in the spiritual formation that "shapes us into God's mission."

Psalm 37:1-6

Discipleship, Missional, Pragmatism, Spiritual Growth

Evangelism or Witness?

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

David Fitch challenges pastors and congregations to consider how the verbal proclamation of the gospel (evangelism) must complement a living embodiment of God's work (witness).

Evangelism, Missions, Witness, Ecclesiology

Youth Groups Destroy Children’s Lives

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

Article about Children or Youth Ministry

David Fitch says children and teenagers need relationships with adults in which they can grow into a vital relationship with God, and that youth groups often work against this goal.

Culture, Children/youth, Community, Spiritual Growth

Praying with Oscar Romero

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

Prayer, Article about Worship and the Sacraments

David Fitch argues that the spiritual discipline of submitting the day’s work to God and God's mission is essential for staying grounded in the ministry of teaching. Also includes a prayer by Archbishop Oscar Romero.

Lent, Obedience, Discipline, Holy Week

The Kingdom Starts With Communities

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

Sermon Preparation or Illustration, Book Quote

In this article about why sending out individual missionaries is all wrong, David Fitch explains why churches should focus on sending out church communities. The article can be used in a sermon series on missions.

Jeremiah 29:4-7; 1 Peter 2:9, 3:15-16

Church, Kingdom Of God, Community, Missions

3 Characteristics of Missional Preaching

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

Can preaching within a multi-site venue be missional? In this article, David Fitch argues that preaching should be always local, demand a response, and is always better when we know the person.

Preaching, Congregation, Contextualization

On the Church Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

Article about Worship and the Sacraments

"I have long resisted the recognition of certain national holidays in the church," says David Fitch. In this article, he discusses the unique value of celebrating Martin Luther King Day at church.

Justice, Social Justice, Racism, Martin Luther King Jr

Navigating Gender, Patriarchy, and Binaries in the Church

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

Scripture Meditation or Sermon

Reflecting on several scriptures, David Fitch explores how hierarchy, patriarchy, and antagonisms between males and females are overcome in Christ. They are replaced by mutuality, forgiveness, reconciliation, and renewal.

Gender, Gospel, Forgiveness, Hierarchy

Proclaiming the Gospel as Reality-Creating Event

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

In this article, David Fitch offers three observations about evangelical proclamation and challenges us to approach this powerful task with simple humility.

Evangelism, Gospel, Proclamation

The Missional Order of St Fiacre at Life on the Vine

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

Taking inspiration from gardening, David Fitch's article presents the Rule of a missional order that hopes to plant Christian communities. The Rule presents ideals centered upon fellowship, communal worship, and simplicity.

Missions, Evangelism, Missional

Against Decaffeinated Belief

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

Article about Worship and the Sacraments

In this article, David Fitch warns against the attractional model of Sunday worship and encourages the kind of worship that helps people live out their missional calling to advance God's kingdom.

Consumerism, Evangelism, Missional

How Do Christians Grow and Mature?

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

In this article, David Fitch outlines and evaluates two different leadership styles that help Christians mature in their faith. "Strong, charismatic, decisive leadership" focuses on right belief while "humble, mutually-submitted, empowering leadership" emphasizes character formation.

Leadership, Maturity, Sanctification, Discipleship

Proclaiming the Gospel in The Neighborhood

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

In reflecting on contextualizing the gospel message, David Fitch offers four proclamations or realities of how God is already at work.