Author Archives: Jay F Guin

About Jay F Guin

My name is Jay Guin, and I’m a retired elder. I wrote The Holy Spirit and Revolutionary Grace about 18 years ago. I’ve spoken at the Pepperdine, Lipscomb, ACU, Harding, and Tulsa lectureships and at ElderLink. My wife’s name is Denise, and I have four sons, Chris, Jonathan, Tyler, and Philip. I have two grandchildren. And I practice law.

Community Disciplines: Bonhoeffer’s Life Together, Part 6

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Jay F Guin

Christian community is not an ideal we have to realize, but rather a reality created by God in Christ in which we may participate. The more clearly we learn to recognize that the ground and strength and promise of all … Continue reading →

Posted in Bonhoeffer's Life Together, Christian Disciplines, Uncategorized | 9 Comments

Churches of Christ: Christian Chronicle reports slow growth by the independent Christian Churches

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Jay F Guin

The Christian Chronicle has just posted an article criticizing the notion that the independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ* have been enjoying “phenomenal” growth.

Posted in Churches of Christ in Decline, Uncategorized | 37 Comments

N. T. Wright Sings Dylan

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Jay F Guin

The readers know that I’m an N. T. Wright fan and Dylan fan. So you can imagine my reaction to —

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Church Leadership: Signs of an Inwardly Focused Church

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Jay F Guin

This is from a blog post by church growth consultant Thom Rainer (and there are further, excellent thoughts at the blog itself) — * Worship wars. * Prolonged minutia meetings. * Facility focus. * Program driven.

Posted in Leadership, Uncategorized | 11 Comments

Community Disciplines: Bonhoeffer’s Life Together, Part 5

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Jay F Guin

If we do not give thanks daily for the Christian community in which we have been placed, even when there are no great experiences, no noticeable riches, but much weakness, difficulty, and little faith—and if, on the contrary, we only … Continue reading →

Posted in Bonhoeffer's Life Together, Christian Disciplines, Uncategorized | 33 Comments

Every Major’s Terrible

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Jay F Guin

In honor of high school graduation, a simple, desultory phillipic. By way of background — Which allows you to sing along with (all together now) — Thanks to XKCD.

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Acts 7 (Stephen’s speech and martyrdom)

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Jay F Guin

(Act 7:1 ESV) And the high priest said, “Are these things so?” Nearly all of Acts 7 is taken up with Stephen’s recitation of the history of the Jews. It’s a strange way to defend yourself from blasphemy! Why did … Continue reading →

Posted in Acts, Acts, Uncategorized | 14 Comments

Community Disciplines: Bonhoeffer’s Life Together, Part 4

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Jay F Guin

Even when sin and misunderstanding burden the common life, is not the one who sins still a person with whom I too stand under the word of Christ? Will not another Christian’s sin be an occasion for me ever anew … Continue reading →

Posted in Bonhoeffer's Life Together, Christian Disciplines, Uncategorized | 10 Comments

Acts 6:5-25 (More about deacons; Stephen)

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Jay F Guin

(Act 6:5-6 ESV)  5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte … Continue reading →

Posted in Acts, Acts, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Community Disciplines: Bonhoeffer’s Life Together, Part 3

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Jay F Guin

On innumerable occasions a whole Christian community has been shattered because it has lived on the basis of a wishful image. Certainly serious Christians who are put in a community for the first time will often bring with them a … Continue reading →

Posted in Bonhoeffer's Life Together, Christian Disciplines, Uncategorized | 6 Comments