http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/ ABOUT THIS BLOG Dr. Mekonnen's thoughts on leadership. Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:49:51 GMT en-us Copyright 2011 Denver Seminary http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/christmas-is-about-amazing-love/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/christmas-is-about-amazing-love/ Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:49:50 GMT While I was a doctoral student, I was invited by good friend, the late Prof. Norm Arnesen, to listen to the lecture of Gordon Fee given to students and faculty at Bethany Bible College. At the end of the lecture, there was a Q & A time, and ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/the-significance-of-easter/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/the-significance-of-easter/ Thu, 21 Apr 2011 21:23:41 GMT “If Christ is not risen then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain” (1 Cor. 15:14). With this strong statement Paul accentuates the fundamental significance of Christ’s resurrection for Christian faith. Peter ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/divided-by-faith/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/divided-by-faith/ Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:51:06 GMT  “Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the problem of race in America” by Michael O. Emerson and Christian Smith has given me the current reality of race relationship in this country.  As I went through the book, I ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/to-live-in-gods-will/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/to-live-in-gods-will/ Fri, 18 Feb 2011 20:09:56 GMT In my early years of Christian walk, I used to think that to believe in Jesus Christ and follow the will of our heavenly father is the most joyful, peaceful, and painless life to live for a child of God. Before too long, I learned that being a ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/time-an-irreplaceable-commodity/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/time-an-irreplaceable-commodity/ Thu, 06 Jan 2011 21:06:54 GMT For those of us who are following and living in European calendar, we have entered into a new year with its challenges and promises. If you take the transition of life from the old to the New Year casually, it becomes a routine, just a matter of ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/christmasglories-and-joyful-exit/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/christmasglories-and-joyful-exit/ Sun, 05 Dec 2010 03:04:36 GMT Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: Sovereign Lord as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/what-will-you-do/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/what-will-you-do/ Fri, 12 Nov 2010 17:48:20 GMT In the journey of our Christian faith, definitely, we’ll face a litmus test moment on our character, value, ability of making a right decision at the time of crisis. When you find yourself between a rock and hard place, what will you do? ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/important-things-to-learn-from-the-antioch-church--part-6/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/important-things-to-learn-from-the-antioch-church--part-6/ Mon, 11 Oct 2010 15:36:27 GMT If you have been following my post for the last five months, by now, you have discovered the interesting and innovative features of the Antioch church which was launched as multi-ethnic and multi-cultural Christian community which became a great ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/important-things-to-learn-from-the-antioch-church-part-5/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/important-things-to-learn-from-the-antioch-church-part-5/ Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:16:25 GMT So far we’ve looked at four key features of the Antioch church that distinguishes it from the Jerusalem church—evangelism, the involvement of lay people, multiple leadership and love. Today, we are reflecting on their engagement in ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/important-things-to-learn-from-the-antioch-church-part-4/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/important-things-to-learn-from-the-antioch-church-part-4/ Mon, 09 Aug 2010 03:46:12 GMT The Antioch church was open to shared leadership.  Leadership in Christian churches is either dominated by the minister, or it is lost in a committee. The pattern of leadership in the church at Antioch is very instructive. It was shared, ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/important-things-we-can-learn-from-the-antioch-church-part-3/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/important-things-we-can-learn-from-the-antioch-church-part-3/ Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:44:49 GMT If we want to make a positive impact in the society we live and serve Christ, like the Antioch church our mark of Christianity should be love. It was in Antioch that the Jews and the Gentiles ate together, worship together, and serve God ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/important-things-we-can-learn-from-the-antioch-church-part-2/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/important-things-we-can-learn-from-the-antioch-church-part-2/ Tue, 08 Jun 2010 18:25:42 GMT It was a lay initiative The Antioch church not only gave vast scope to laymen, it was founded by laypeople. The nearest things to clergy were the apostles, and not one of them was to be seen at Antioch. The wandering refugees who put their ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/some-important-things-to-learn-from-the-antioch-church/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/some-important-things-to-learn-from-the-antioch-church/ Mon, 10 May 2010 16:46:07 GMT Antioch was a great city. It was the capital of Syria, Queen of the East, and was situated as a most important sea port at the mouth of the rive Orontes. There were only two cities larger than Antioch in the entire ancient world, Rome and ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/my-comment-on-the-work-of-an-ethiopian-scholar/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/my-comment-on-the-work-of-an-ethiopian-scholar/ Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:50:12 GMT The Evangelical Movement in Ethiopia: Resistance and Resilience;By Tibebe Eshete, Texas: Baylor University Press, 2009. Pp.V, 525. $54.95. According to many scholars, by the time the first Anglo-Saxon is converted, Christianity had ten ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/developing-wise-leaders/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/developing-wise-leaders/ Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:01:46 GMT In my reading of many leadership books, I hardly come across authors whose focus is to make leaders or readers wise. Topics on motivation, assertiveness, power, organizational culture, human behavior, decision making, vision, strategy, planning, ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/the-presence-of-christ-part-6/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/the-presence-of-christ-part-6/ Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:20:41 GMT I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Mathew started his gospel by heralding the birth of Jesus Christ and the difference his dwelling among people brings in terms of our relationship with God. Tracing back to the prophet Isaiah, he ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/the-great-commission-part-5/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/the-great-commission-part-5/ Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:23:41 GMT V. Teaching them all things that I have commanded you. How do we disciple the new converts? Evangelism followed by sacraments and teaching the word of God helps to create a Christian community. Sacrament—"Baptizing them in the name of ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/all-nations-part-4/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/all-nations-part-4/ Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:54:23 GMT Who are we discipling? All nations. There is no exclusive race or nation who would be exempted from this process. Jews, Greeks, Romans, Africans, Americans, Asians and Latinos, the wise and the barbarians, the rich and the poor, the educated and ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/the-great-commission-part-3-to-make-disciples/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/the-great-commission-part-3-to-make-disciples/ Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:58:27 GMT Why are we going? Missionaries have different reasons and motives to go to the mission field. But the command is clear—“to make disciples.” The verb [matheteuein] “to make disciples” occurs only four times in the ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/the-great-commission-part-2/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/the-great-commission-part-2/ Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:10:14 GMT II.  Go therefore. Going out of Israel was not the popular trend of the Jews of Jesus’ time. Coming to Jerusalem was. During their festivity, like Passover and Pentecost, the number of Jews in Jerusalem was swelling. They come from ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/the-great-commission-part-1/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/the-great-commission-part-1/ Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:09:59 GMT Text: Matt. 28:18-20  Mission is a reason for the existence of the church. For the risen and exalted Christ, mission was not a suggestion, it was not an advice given to the disciples, and it was not an AOB agenda of the new community. It ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/small-beginning/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/small-beginning/ Thu, 06 Aug 2009 17:07:33 GMT As I reflect back on my thirty-four years of ministry and ponder Scriptural and autobiographical readings, I am amazed how often the Lord brings great things out of small beginnings. Contrary to our human ambition, God wants to work with ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/the-importance-of-commitment/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/the-importance-of-commitment/ Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:35:54 GMT Professor Lewis B. Smedes, in his book, “Caring and Commitment: Learning to Live the Love We Promise” (1988), said: Our deepest relationships are held together by an invisible cord called commitment. Every important community we ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/a-turning-point-in-the-life-of-a-leader-jacob/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/a-turning-point-in-the-life-of-a-leader-jacob/ Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:44:47 GMT Text: Gen. 32:22-32 Unlike most of us, the story of Jacob and his relationship with God started before he was born. Paul writes in Romans 9:10-13: …Rebekah’s children had one and the same father, our father Isaac. Yet, before the ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/the-most-important-question-a-leader-should-ask-what-is-man/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/the-most-important-question-a-leader-should-ask-what-is-man/ Fri, 01 May 2009 16:12:14 GMT In last month's article, I stated how important it is to put Christ at the center of our leadership role. Without a clear understanding of humanity and a good grasp of Christ's attitude towards human beings, it is impossible to be effective in ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/christ-centered-leadership/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/christ-centered-leadership/ Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:57:25 GMT When it comes to people who have influenced and impacted our lives, we all have heroes and heroines in our society-sports legends, politicians, scientists, successful business people, missionaries, pastors, theologians and the like. So long as ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/leading-with-conviction/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/leading-with-conviction/ Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:18:17 GMT In Christian leadership, before a leader preaches, teaches, writes, or communicates his/her expectations of life style, character and values from the followers it is critically important for the leader to develop a life of deep conviction.  ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/missions-from-a-debtors-perspective/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/missions-from-a-debtors-perspective/ Tue, 28 Oct 2008 21:32:45 GMT "I am a debtor both to the Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise and unwise. So, as much as in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also" (NKJ Rom. 1:14-15). "The NIV 'I am bound' and the RSV ‘I am under ... http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/leadership-lesson-from-josephs-life/ http://www.denverseminary.edu/alex-mekonnens-blog/leadership-lesson-from-josephs-life/ Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:19:46 GMT Our culture has a strong influence on our lives and ministry philosophy. For a leadership resource and example, we tend to look for secular books and we take CEOs as our model. We often attempt to be Billy Graham in the suit of Warren Buffet. ...