Ten “REVEALing” Blog Posts from 2007

In 2007 we launched REVEAL, not just as a book, but a research-based conversation about spiritual growth and the role the church plays in it.  This conversation took off in the Blogosphere.  We were fascinated to see the findings of REVEAL discussed in blogs around the globe by pastors, theologians, church leaders, and students. 

Like you, we followed the discussion online. There were times we were surprised by misinformation or harsh rhetoric. But there were many more times we were encouraged to find in a blog post or comment, that we are not alone in trying to wrestle with how people grow closer to Christ, and also trying to be brutally honest about what is working and what isn’t. 

We’ve compiled a list of 10 Blog Posts about REVEAL from 2007.  These are the posts we enjoyed the most because they sparked great dialogue, reflected a deep engagement in the core questions REVEAL asks, or simply introduced us to someone else who is prayerfully seeking to be faithful to Christ’s call to make true disciples.

We want to keep this dialogue going in 2008, so send us your thoughts and questions and we’ll keep you up-to-date on what’s happening at REVEAL.

Cally 

1. Jesus Creed: Scot McKnight

Scot’s the professor we all wish we had and a thinker we deeply respect.  He and his family attend Willow. We enjoy being in community with him because he asks tough questions and is a wise and thoughtful follower of Christ. Scot’s post offers a counter balance to the major criticisms of the study in Scot’s classic style. 

2. evotional: Mark Batterson

We love hearing how the REVEAL book has been catalytic for churches that haven’t even taken the survey yet.  Mark is the innovative pastor of National CommunityChurch in Washington D.C. and he is a leader and emerging voice in the Church that we greatly respect. His post explains how the REVEAL research inspired his opening message series of 2008.

3. Father Henry’s Blog: St. Mary's Episcopal Church

We loved this blog post where Father Henry Jansma shares his excitement at St. Mary’s from Haddon Heights, NJ being chosen as one of the 500 REVEAL Churches.

4. Gospel Communication’s Think Christian Blog: Chris Salzman

Chris’s post is a concise play-by-play addressing a quotation inappropriately attributed to Bill Hybels.  Chris begins the article by referencing another Think Christian post about how the blogosphere can be like a giant game of telephone—tell us about it :)

5. Live Intentionally: Paul Steinbrueck

Paul’s blog post about REVEAL may have been the first ever.  He is the CEO of OurChurch.com.

6. Leadership Network’s Monday Morning Insight: Todd Rhoades

Our friends at Leadership Network coin an unfortunate new word “REVEALSQUEAL” as they discuss the flurry of discussion and controversy online related to REVEAL.

7. Because People Matter: Mark Waltz

Mark is a pastor at Granger Community Church. We were struck by his passion and his thoughtful comments.

8.  Tony Morgan

Tony is an author and pastor at NewSpring Church in Anderson, SC. Like many bloggers, he read the REVEAL book and posted some quotes he found interesting.  We love hearing how people respond to the REVEAL book and share their thoughts with others.

9. Elle Pyke

Elle is a student at Emmanuel Bible College in Ontario, Canada. We found her post to be engaging and refreshing.  We love hearing about how students are reacting to REVEAL and wrestling with what it really means to pursue the Kingdom.  We are inspired by their hopes and dreams for the church.

10. Missional Muse: Derek Maxson

We don’t know much about Derek, but we appreciate his hard work.  He posted his notes from REVEAL-on-the-Road and even scanned in some of the handouts.  We look forward to going on the road again in 2008 with findings from the 500 churches we will have surveyed since last year’s tour.

Extra:

Bradley Wright

Bradley is an associate professor at the University of Connecticut where he studies the sociology of Christianity.  He wrote a detailed series of 11 posts on REVEAL where he discusses methodological aspects of the research from a sociological perspective and areas where he would like to see the survey improved.  We plan to engage with Bradley’s thoughts and others who had questions about our methodology later this year, but we couldn’t wait till then to mention his thoughtful and balanced posts.  We were honored by Bradley’s commitment to look deeply at the foundation of REVEAL’s research. We approach our research from a different discipline than sociology, but we found great food-for-thought in his posts.  He’s our kinda people :)

Comments

[Terrace Crawford]

Thanks for this post. I read most of these already but one or two I've never heard of and anticipate reading.

//TC//

[HEATHER PALACIOS]

Precisely because these people were blogging about it, we found ourselves talking about it...all the way down here in sunny South Florida! Thanks!

[Elle Pyke]

Thank you so much for giving my blog a little plug. Thanks for doing what you are doing right now with REVEAL. It is causing people to think, converse and learn. Blessings!