What can you imagine? When it comes to training and equipping church leaders, what can you imagine? Up until a couple of years ago, I admit my imagination was somewhat constrained. When I thought about equipping church leaders in Bible, theology, and ministry, I...
Blog
One Question Churches Must Ask
One Question Churches Must Ask “Where is our next pastor coming from?” Churches need to ask this question because almost every church has an unstated answer to this: somewhere else. In a Christendom model of church, this question doesn’t really need to be asked,...
Learning in, with, and for the church
Learning in, with, and for the church I’ve always loved learning, Jesus, and the church. When I went to college, I loved Bible, ministry, philosophy, and theology classes. Here was the opportunity to ask big questions and wrestle with the answers in a community where...
The Foundry Unleashes Church-Based Equipping
The Foundry was highlighted by Plant 616 in their Spring Update. Church-based learning isn’t overly academic and doesn’t require learners to leave their contexts. That’s the Foundry. See the entire post:...
Go
“So what does The Foundry do?” I get that question a fair amount these days. My first answer is: “Go.” It might sound simple, but the first step in everything we do is “go.” Go to meet and connect with pastors and church leaders. Go in order to listen.
Generosity: One Church’s Gift
In late 2020, as three colleagues were working through questions of calling and vocation, one church offered something they could share: space. This unassuming church on the northeast side of Grand Rapids welcomed three weary travelers who were unsure of their next...
Jesus and John Wayne
I must admit that it took me too long to finally read the book most frequently recommended to me, Jesus and John Wayne by Dr. Kristen Kobes Du Mez (@kkdumez). Once I started reading, I could not put it down! One of the things I love most about teaching...
What We’re Reading
As we've been discerning the call to begin this new venture we call The Foundry, we have found numerous books, articles, and other resources to be particularly valuable and insightful. These are just some of the books we've engaged that speak to the need for...
2021-2022 Ministry Formation Schedule
A Biblical and Practical Theology of Sabbath Sept. 7 - Oct. 15 This session explores biblical, theological, and practical dimensions of Sabbath rhythms of life, connecting our doctrine of God with our actual practice of rest and work. We're going to pay...
Ministry Formation Learning Cohort
Goal The Foundry is committed to training ministry leaders in a way that is biblically and theologically rooted, practically oriented, and connected to the local church. Unique Ministry Formation The Foundry is committed to ministry formation that is church-centered...