Tag Archives: Rochester College

A Different Kind of Graduate Program (one that’s perfect for you)

Posted on April 30, 2015 by Mark Love

I’ve written here before about our master’s in missional leadership at Rochester College. It’s our effort to design a degree more in lines with the demands and opportunities for ministry in a new missional era. Simply put, the way we’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Faith and the White House: things I bet you didn’t know

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Mark Love

One of my all-time favorite tv shows is The West Wing. I loved watching smart characters who passionately believed in what they were doing, worked hard and smart, and loved the people with whom they worked. Aaron Sorkin’s writing, as … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, theology | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

The First Great Commission: mercy, not sacrifice

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Mark Love

We all know how the gospel of Matthew ends: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go into all the world, making disciples…” These verses, are less well known. “Woe to you scribes, Pharisees, hypocrites! … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian practice, missional theology, Scripture, theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Why Ministry Training Must Change: forming learning communities

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Mark Love

I am fully convinced that situated learning, or learning in context, is the way to prepare ministers. I was dubious about whether learning that depended a great deal on online delivery would work toward these ends. I was particularly concerned … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian practice, missional leadership, missional theology, theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why Ministry Training has to Change: leading where you are

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Mark Love

At 52 years of age, I am still in school. I am writing a dissertation right now for a PhD in congregational mission and leadership from Luther Seminary. There has seldom been a time in my adult life when I … Continue reading →

Posted in missional leadership, missional theology, theology | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Mercy, Not Sacrifice: Welcome to the table of the Lord

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Mark Love

I grew up in a tradition, the tradition in which I still participate, that practiced the Lord’s Supper every Sunday. It was impressed upon me by those presiding at the table that this was not a practice to be trifled … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian practice, missional theology, theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why Ministry Training Must Change: we’re not in Kansas anymore

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Mark Love

No one has invested more in the way we have been training ministers for the past 200 years than I have. I have a BA in biblical studies, an MA in Christian history, an MDiv (the gold standard ministry degree), … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian practice, culture, missional leadership, missional theology, theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Mercy, Not Sacrifice: The Missional Imperative

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Mark Love

In Matthew 9, Jesus challenges the Pharisees, “Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’” A few chapters later, the Pharisees find themselves on the wrong side of a dispute about the law with Jesus. There he … Continue reading →

Posted in missional theology, theology | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment