Blog

Disturbing the comfortable & comforting the disturbed.

Staff thoughts and life lessons about poverty, injustice, leadership, religion and other social issues in the world today.

Movements, Organizations, or Institutions?

Thoughts by Dave Blundell – 3 minute read

We’ve always done it that way.

Saying “no” until we have a good reason to say yes.

A preoccupation with policies.

Overly-managed and under-led.

Most people have forgotten about the “why”?

Characterized by bureaucracy and control.

If these statements describe your organization’s default in decision making…you might be leading an institution not a movement.

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Never Enough

Thoughts by Dave Blundell – 3 minute read

Are you ever overwhelmed by the unrelenting and exhausting feeling that it’s never enough? And by “it," I mean everything. It seems that in almost every area of our lives, I need to be doing more of something. The list feels endless. 

I should exercise more. I need to get to those unfinished projects in the house. I should spend more time with the kids. I should be spending more time with my spouse. I should visit my grandparents more. I really should be connecting with extended family more. I should take baking to the neighbors. I should read that book that my friend recommended to me last year. I should get together with those friends who are hurting. I should really go to the hospital to visit my uncle. I should be making more money. I should call that person back and respond to a bunch of emails. We should have those friends over.

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Does God exist for you?

Thoughts by Dave Blundell – 2 minute read

Does God exist for you or do you exist for Him?

I don’t think there is a more critical question for us to answer. The way you answer orients the direction of your life and also sets foundational expectations upon which you will evaluate the quality of your life. Our secular culture has convinced us that our life is only about us, and that happiness comes from a greater focus on self, which has actually led us to greater emptiness.

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Freedom From Religion

Thoughts by Dave Blundell – 2 minute read

I desperately want to be freed from religion. I grew up religious; I trained for a religious career; I’ve traveled and been exposed to most of the world’s major religions. I’m done.

I have never been more finished with religion than I am today, and I have never been more in love with Christ either.

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2015 Annual Update

Thoughts by Dave Blundell – 3 minute read

We all want to have an impact. We all want our lives to have meaning and to make a difference. That desire in all of us is the image of a giving God living through us in a world that is desperate for His love. The reason you are receiving this is because you have made a difference, you have had an impact. Thank you for giving, or going, or in some way partnering with us in our vision—to see a world transformed by a global movement of compassion and justice, evidenced by the eradication of needless suffering.

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Faithophobia

Thoughts by Dave Blundell – 3 minute read

Is being altogether loving mutually exclusive of black and white? In today’s climate of moral relativism and faith-based reverse discrimination, isn’t it possible someone can be both full of Christ-like love AND convinced of the reality of a right and wrong? Is it possible to say, "You're wrong" and still love completely?

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Leadership Pain — Book Review

Thoughts by Dave Blundell – 2 minute read

As a leader, I was incredibly drawn to the title of this book. What leader doesn’t experience pain? At first, I thought the book was going to have a masochistic message. I was expecting, “Every leader experiences pain. Jesus did. So suck it up and keep serving.” I was wrong. Having read my share of leadership books, Leadership Pain is definitely among the most helpful books I’ve read that speaks to a leader’s soul. It’s a book that should be required reading for any leadership training or preparation.

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Are we Christ-like or just nice?

Thoughts by Dave Blundell – 3 minute read

It's never been more clear to me lately that the only way people will want to come and have a relationship with Jesus is when they see him in our lives. Yes…there will be a few that come because of tragedy, signs and wonders. But the only reason the rest would ever want anything to do with Jesus is if they are attracted to him; when they see him in us. I realize that isn't a new or profound thought. Probably every follower of Jesus would agree with me.

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Why is your missions comittee so frustrating?

Thoughts by Dave Blundell – 3 minute read

Having worked in a church, and now from working with hundreds of churches in global mobilization, it’s often the very group of people who are supposed to champion missions who become the obstacle.

Missions committees are those things in churches we seem to need but don’t really know why they are there or what specifically they are supposed to accomplish.

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When not helping hurts more

Thoughts by Dave Blundell – 3 minute read

I have been part of the international relief and development community and discussion for about 13 years now. And for all of the right reasons, there has never been such a huge discussion and focus placed on not doing harm when we are trying to help the poor. All the buzz words right now have tipped the scales toward considering “best practice” to maximize our aid effectiveness.

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