character of a leader Archives

Two Parades. The Lie of Sacred Violence

Posted on April 10, 2022April 10, 2022 by Michael Rose

It was the beginning of Passover as Jesus and his friends headed to Jerusalem for the to celebrate Israel’s liberation from Egypt. Word spread that He was on His way to the city. People ran out to meet this Jesus who was taking the land by storm, with his radical teachings of love; turning the…

Human Being versus Doing. Towards Wholeness

Posted on October 30, 2018October 30, 2018 by Michael Rose

I am not alone when I admit I have wrestled with the being versus doing dichotomy. In essence, it’s a longing to live more authentically, to experience meaning in those things we do and not feeling disconnected from our sense of being whether by mindless rote, guilt or unhealthy obligation. I know that this was…

A Hell of a Difference

Posted on October 18, 2018October 20, 2018 by Michael Rose

Once upon a time, there lived a woman who wished she could understand the difference between Heaven and Hell. She petitioned God for such an experience, and one day God came to her in a dream. God said to the woman, “I have heard your prayer, and I am willing to grant your request. I…

Blessed – A Present Reality

Posted on October 7, 2015January 23, 2017 by Michael Rose

Many of us are familiar with the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. You know, Blessed are the poor. Blessed are the … . There are two words that translate into “Blessed” in first century Judaism. The first, in Hebrew beraka (and the Greek eulogeo) and this word, isn’t used in the Beatitudes. This word is used in prayer asking…

Jesus’ Gospel is Confrontational

Posted on July 9, 2015June 23, 2016 by Michael Rose

I have been thinking about some conventional wisdom – that one should stay away from talking about the contentious issues because they are a “no win”. That choosing sides will only get you embroiled in debates. It was suggested that staying clear of these debates will free one to talk about Jesus and his Kingdom. My…

Pastors: Stop the Cloning! – Discipleship

Posted on April 28, 2015June 23, 2016 by Michael Rose

Have you ever experienced a situation where someone, in the name of Jesus, tried to fashion you into their own image of Jesus? As well-meaning leaders we want to help others mature in faith, help them grow in Christ-likeness. Unfortunately, we can sometimes have a narrow idea of what this Christ-likeness looks like, and often…

We ARE Chosen

Posted on April 6, 2015February 27, 2017 by Michael Rose

How many of us remember the ad-hoc choosing of teams in the school yard? “I’ll take Jimmy.” “I’ll take Jane” and so forth until there is a lone person left and chosen by default. There were times when I was growing up that I found myself the last to be chosen. It is an awkward feeling to not…

Blind Faith – Merton’s Prayer

Posted on January 7, 2015August 23, 2019 by Michael Rose

The following is a prayer by Thomas Merton found in his book entitled Thoughts in Solitude. Thomas Merton was an influential 20th-century Catholic author, popular spiritual writer, poet, author and social activist. A Trappist monk of the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani, in Kentucky, Merton was a prolific writer penning over 60 books and many essays….

Defence Mechanisms – Hiding from God

Posted on October 10, 2014October 13, 2021 by Michael Rose

Ever wonder why as rational and educated as we are, we still seem to play the silliest irrational games – avoiding, denying, rationalizing, spinning? Sometimes it all looks so screwy, but many of these are attempts to protect ourselves. Often, as a defence mechanism, we hide behind masks that, in many cases, have been carefully…

Hypocrites: Always room for one more!

Posted on May 2, 2014August 22, 2017 by Michael Rose

Is the Church full of hypocrites? I hear it often. It seems like an auto-response for many when describing the Church; “the Church is full of hypocrites.” I usually end up smiling as I remember an old friend when faced with the same response. He would smile and warmly reply “Yes! And there is always…