Author Archives: Richard Heyduck

Unknown's avatar

About Richard Heyduck

Pastor of Hardy Memorial Methodist Church, a Global Methodist Congregation. PhD Fuller Seminary MDiv Asbury Seminary BA Southwestern University

Huntington’s Miss

Posted on November 2, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

In an article from Proceedings, Lieutenant Colonel James G. Lacey considers the apparent dependency of US planners on scenarios presented by Samuel Huntington (Clash of Civilizations) and Bernard Lewis (The Crisis of Islam) and finds it wanting. Though he mentions … Continue reading →

Posted in Clash of Civilizations, Current events, Politics, Samuel Huntington | Leave a comment

Ordinary Christian Behavior?

Posted on November 1, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

In one of my previous ministry settings our youth group was primarily made up of kids with no previous church connection. They had enthusiasm. They were hungry to know God. They passionately desired their friends to know Jesus. But they … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Ministry, Prayer, Youth Ministry | 1 Comment

Keeping Violence Safe

Posted on October 31, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

A few weeks ago the New York Times ran a story on churches using violent video games to attract youth. Now there’s a story out of Alabama about a lock in sponsored by a First United Methodist Church featuring games … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Ministry, Violence, Youth Ministry | Leave a comment

Five Practices (and More)

Posted on October 25, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

Here in the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church we have adopted (in a slightly modified form) the Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations as featured in Bishop Robert Schnase’s book. With some other ideas (“Key Drivers”) added, we’re … Continue reading →

Posted in Podcast, Pursuing Jesus, Theology, United Methodism | 2 Comments

Thoughts on Preaching

Posted on October 25, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

When I think of preaching, I find the 3 categories of classical rhetoric useful. 1. Ethos – This is our character. People listen to us when they know us to be people of character. Character refers not only to our … Continue reading →

Posted in Evangelism, Leadership, Ministry | Leave a comment

Inexplicable

Posted on October 23, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

At LeadershipJournal.net Steve Gaines writes: I am convinced that one of the reasons so many people are turned off from the idea of church these days is that it is all so explainable. Too many churches are growing simply because … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Local church, Ministry | Leave a comment

Slippery Jesus

Posted on October 19, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

We who delve into the bible and lead congregations… Yes, it appears possible to do the one and not the other: One can delve into the bible purely for personal benefit, or one can lead congregations and ignore the bible. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, church growth, Jesus, Leadership, Ministry, United Methodism | 5 Comments

Muslim Outreach

Posted on October 12, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

A group of Muslims from around the world have issued an open letter to Christian leaders everywhere. The call for peace is summed up in the beginning of the document: Muslims and Christians together make up well over half of … Continue reading →

Posted in Al Qaeda, Alasdair MacIntyre, Clash of Civilizations, Current events, Islam, Theology, Tradition, War | Leave a comment

Does Pacifism Work?

Posted on October 2, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

Some of noted Gandhi-style pacifist protest works better with some groups than others. If you are protesting against a group that thinks its wrong to kill unarmed protesters you’re more likely to survive than if, as in Myanmar, you go … Continue reading →

Posted in Current events | 7 Comments

Why Bother?

Posted on September 20, 2007 by Richard Heyduck

Have you ever been involved in something – maybe something you count as of great importance – only to have your involvement ignored or rejected? If you’re the type of person who is concerned enough about others to move beyond … Continue reading →

Posted in Spirituality | Leave a comment