Could we just get a few things straight about the state of the church in America today? There are some myths and misunderstandings floating around that seem plausible but upon further scrutiny just don’t hold up. Let’s name some of…
Church leadership lessons from Disney World
Sometimes as church leaders we run across ideas that, once heard, seem so self-evident that we wonder why we never thought of that before. One of those “aha!” moments appeared on a recent visit to Walt Disney World. Yes, there…
Addicted to fear
By Mark Wingfield Americans these days are addicted to fear. Fear, of course, is a natural emotional response that God has given us for good reason. It is fear that helps us not put a hand in the fire or…
When you stop coming to church
By Mark Wingfield As a pastor, I try not to take it personally when you stop coming to church. Most of the time, I understand that it’s not about me and that it’s not even about the church. It’s about…
Why I pray for Christmas miracles
By Mark Wingfield On most Christmas Eves, it becomes my opportunity to voice for our congregation a prayer at the candlelight services. And most years, I pray for Christmas miracles. Just in case you’re not savvy to these finer theological…
Church the way it used to be?
By Mark Wingfield On a recent visit back to my hometown in Oklahoma, I heard about a church that has adopted the motto, “Church the Way It Used to Be.” Later, I did an Internet search for this phrase and…
What if your city’s history were projected on your church?
By Mark Wingfield In San Antonio, Texas, the façade of the historic San Fernando Cathedral has become the backdrop for a public art installation. A 24-minute video projection with music depicts the history of San Antonio by drawing and redrawing…
Four reasons Ronnie Floyd is both right and wrong
By Mark Wingfield Here’s a sentence I never thought I would write: I agree with Ronnie Floyd. The outspoken Arkansas pastor currently serves as president of the Southern Baptist Convention, and he dropped a bombshell at a recent event when…
Immigration: Where’s the line?
By Mark Wingfield Most Baptist pastors I know would rather preach a month of sermons on stewardship than give even the appearance of making a political statement. But who determines what’s political and what’s theological? These days, it seems to…