Category Archives: Ecclesiology

Liberty and the United Methodist Church

Posted on March 15, 2011 by Richard Heyduck

A while back I did a post that included a brief introduction to the concepts of positive and negative liberty. In that post I provided this illustration: When I have negative liberty it means that there are no outward constraints … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecclesiology, United Methodism | Leave a comment

Social Deviance

Posted on December 14, 2010 by Richard Heyduck

One of the courses offered at my undergraduate institution was in Social Deviance. I didn’t take the course, but had many friends who took it. Since I haven’t taken the course, what I say here is not based on any … Continue reading →

Posted in Consumerism, Culture, Ecclesiology | 1 Comment

Downside of Demonizing

Posted on December 7, 2010 by Richard Heyduck

“Demonizing” our opponents can be great fun. When we demonize groups we offer reasons why any compromise or shared action must be ruled out before we begin. Knowing that over demonization is not politically correct, we never admit to it … Continue reading →

Posted in Alasdair MacIntyre, Clash of Civilizations, Diversity, Ecclesiology, Islam | Leave a comment

Making a Difference

Posted on September 16, 2010 by Richard Heyduck

I haven’t been very regular in my posting lately. I observe that just as my last post begins with a quote from Stanley (Hauerwas), while this one will draw – partly – from a quote from another Stanley (Fish). In … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecclesiology, Ministry, Politics | 2 Comments

Dangerous Places

Posted on June 10, 2010 by Richard Heyduck

What should we make of this story? Apparently a school district in Indiana planned to hold its graduation ceremonies at a local church. I’m sure the church was thinking, “This is a way we can be generous and share with … Continue reading →

Posted in Church & State, Consumerism, Culture, Current events, Ecclesiology, Public Schools | Leave a comment

Reading Cavanaugh on the Invention of “Religion”

Posted on April 14, 2010 by Richard Heyduck

One of the books I’m working through now is William Cavanaugh’s The Myth of Religious Violence. If you’re open to a little heresy (not heresy directed toward Christianity, but toward religion-like phenomena like nationalism, capitalism, Marxism, etc.), check it out. … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Ecclesiology, Politics | 2 Comments

Our Audience

Posted on October 22, 2009 by Richard Heyduck

Eric Bryant asks, “Has listening to church attenders led to the decline of the church?” Declining churches, in his experience, focus on the people they already have. What do they want? How can we keep them happy? Innovative churches, on … Continue reading →

Posted in church growth, Discipleship, Ecclesiology, Evangelism, Jesus | 1 Comment

Ancient-Future

Posted on October 15, 2009 by Richard Heyduck

I sure have heard the adjectival phrase “Ancient-Future” thrown around a lot these past few years. As one who sees value in recovery of historic Christian doctrine, I can see “ancient” as embodying a willingness to be associated with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Ecclesiology | Leave a comment

Driven

Posted on July 30, 2009 by Richard Heyduck

I’m reading, Dave Browning’s Deliberate Simplicity: How the Church Does More by Doing Less, one of the books I was given for my birthday. I’m only in the second chapter, so this post will be far short of a full … Continue reading →

Posted in church growth, Ecclesiology, Leadership, Simple Church | 4 Comments