A typhoon stranded a monkey on an island. In a protected place on the shore, while waiting for the raging waters to recede, he spotted a fish swimming against the current. It seemed to the monkey that the fish was struggling and needed assistance.

As a young pastor I had the idea that God calls every Christian to do great things. I assumed full submission to Jesus would transform anyone into a spiritual Braveheart; kicking-butt for Jesus and marshalling a battalion of others to do the same.

Expressions of the kingdom will come from the Church and shape society when we create the space to imagine and dream about the future. View Rick McKinley's Q Talk and get ready for more McKinley at Q Austin, as he will be facilitating the event beside Mike Foster and Gabe Lyons this year.

Can anyone really change the world? Take a moment to reflect on and learn from the community approach of William Wilberforce and the Clapham Circle. View this Q Short preview.

The biggest thing I've seen is that people aren't talking about things. Whether it's burnout or depression or different things they're wrestling with. We feel like we have to carry around a professional ministry demeanor.

The funny part of this story is when Jamaica came back to the hotel. As she got out of the car and gave the keys to the valet (the only way to park at this hotel), the attendant noticed she was barefoot. "Are you a guest here?" said the inquisitive valet guy.

Thomas Edison said great ideas originate in the muscles. Kant, Descartes, Hegel – and most Western Christians – say great ideas originate in the mind. Jesus probably doesn’t care if great ideas come from the mind, muscles, or your mom’s minestrone. But he might say Edison knew something that faith communities don’t.

Is there any logic in believing that God started His Church as a Spirit-filled, loving body with the intention that it would evolve into entertaining, hour-long services?

I continue to see movements gaining traction among Christians that do not seem to have many converts. In other words, they have recruits to their cause, but few converts to Christ. And I am concerned.