By Brett Younger When Justin Bieber was arrested in January for drinking, driving and drag racing it was front-page news and a goldmine for late-night comics. Jay Leno opened with an announcement from President Obama: “America’s number one domestic terrorist…
Church without … well, people
By Brett Younger Anyone who knows someone at church with whom they would rather not share a hymnal, pass the peace, or high five while lifting holy hands knows the feeling. We love the church, but some of the people…
Practicing peace
By Brett Younger The tree in my living room, which went up the day after Thanksgiving, is starting to shed like Charlie Brown’s. I only enjoyed singing “Last Christmas (I Gave You My Heart)” the first time it came on…
How seminaries fail
By Brett Younger A light shines on them. A voice calls their name. The Spirit ignites their hearts. They feel compelled to follow Jesus, challenge the church and change the world. They long to proclaim good news to the poor,…
At church with the Carters
By Brett Younger At first glance a supply preacher might turn it down. The church is 183 miles away. The congregation is smaller than most church choirs. The service is on Sunday evening. (I have a prejudice against Sunday night…
White preaching professor, black preaching students
By Brett Younger Brett: Our student body is 48 percent African-American and 13 of the 15 faculty members are white. Have you wondered if this is a good place for an African-American minister? Dihanne: What really shocked me was the…
Snake charmers
By Brett Younger If you’ve been searching for a new favorite show on television since Matthew Crawley, heir of Lord Grantham, died on Downton Abbey, then mark Sept. 10 on your calendar. That is when “Snake Salvation” debuts on the National…
Snake charmers
By Brett Younger If you’ve been searching for a new favorite show on television since Matthew Crawley, heir of Lord Grantham, died on Downton Abbey, then mark Sept. 10 on your calendar. That is when “Snake Salvation” debuts on the National…
I had no choice but write this column
By Brett Younger Smilin’ John Calvin was born in France in 1509. Educated as a lawyer, Jean found jurisprudence too free-wheeling so he switched his affection to the church. During his ministry in Geneva, Calvin preached over 2,000 sermons. His…