Search Results on David Fitch

Kingdom Of God, Mission, Submission, Calling/vocation

God’s Journey into the Far Country

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

David Fitch describes the incarnation as “an invitation into the journey into the far country.” He lists five practices where the church joins Christ in mission to reveal Christ. (Based on Luke 15:13; 1 Corinthians 15:25.)

Luke 15:13; 1 Corinthians 15:25

Incarnation, God's Presence, Body And Blood Of Christ, Human Race

Making Space for Reconciliation

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

David Fitch explores Matthew 18:15-20, challenging us to consider that reconciliation with others and social change starts with our own personal confession of sin after a genuine encounter with Christ.

Matthew 18:15-20

Reconciliation, Confession, Healing, Justice

Do I lead as one “ahead” or as one “among”?

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

David Fitch considers a pastoral posture of "among" rather than "ahead" and how it applies in the context of preaching. Fitch notes benefits to this model include avoiding burnout and encouraging spiritual formation.

Pastoral Leadership, Preaching

On Why Reconciling Conflict is Ground Zero for the Inbreaking of the Kingdom

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

David Fitch argues that conflict should be welcomed because it is a sign of the inbreaking of the Kingdom and offers advice for ministry leaders on handling conflict well.

Sin, Submission

Building Blocks for a Missional Ecclesiology

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

In this article, David Fitch writes on how the theology of the mission of God, or "Missio Dei," affects church leadership and ecclesiology.

John 20:21-23

Trinity, Mission, God's Will, Doctrine

Myth of Expository Preaching

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

David Fitch is concerned about the isolation of individuals during the preaching event. In this article, he offers a heavy handed critique of expository preaching in worship.

Preaching, Individualism

How Not to Make Justice into a Program at Your Local Church

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

David Fitch draws from Isaiah 58:3-7; Ezekiel 18:5-9; Amos 5:21-24; and Micah 3 to explore justice and righteousness. By basing justice in individual rights, we may support a method that undermines the very justice we seek.

Isaiah 58:3-7; Ezekiel 18:5-9; Amos 5:21-24

Politics, Justice, Reconciliation, Righteousness

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.

Preaching, Proclamation, Teaching

Making Space for Alternative Sexualities

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

David Fitch uses Jesus' encounter with the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11) as a model for being the healing presence of Christ with those who are suffering due to condemnation for "alternative sexualities."

John 8:1-11

Reconciliation, Lgbtqia+, Healing, God's Presence

A Time to Say Nothing and Be Present

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

David Fitch observes how Jesus doesn't directly answer the chief priests as an example to show it may be appropriate at times to say nothing and be present in claims for justice (Mark 11:27-12:12).

Mark 11:27-33, 12:1-12

Justice, Violence, Evil, Good Works

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

Spiritual Gifts, Mission, Neighbor, Discipleship

Preaching about Money

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

David Fitch offers a sermon series outline on how to live with money. Each weekly topic connects to a spiritual discipline to help shape and form a community in ways that resist society's idolatry towards money.

Money, Discipline, Lectionary, Stewardship

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, Pastoral Leadership

When They Will Not Come

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

Scripture Meditation or Sermon and 1 more types

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, Mission

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.

Mission, Witness, Worship Planning

Missional Church is Nothing But …

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

David Fitch argues against a conception of missional church as just regular Sunday worship with some justice projects added on. Rather, missional church is focused on being present among our contexts.

Church, Justice, Mission, Evangelism

The Leadership of Christ

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

David Fitch reflects on the "leadership" of Jesus (Luke 22:25-27): "He walked among us, was present to all humanity, and then took on all sin and violence of the world in humility and servanthood."

Luke 22:25-27

Leadership, Humility, Service, Incarnation

Should We Gather? When?

David Fitch | Missio Alliance

David Fitch shares the importance of public worship gatherings, that they are "part of something much larger going on," and why it is important to discern the dynamics of worshipping within the neighborhood.

Community, Neighbor, Discernment, 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.