Over the course of the last 14 years, the leadership of the Center for Healthy Churches has assisted hundreds of congregations in their searches for new ministerial leadership. While every one of these search processes is unique and has its…
Four ways to be in helpful relationship with those living with infertility
I’m not sure who started the phrase, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” but I’d like a word with them. Most of us who have been through the experience of middle school know…
The difference between ‘He Gets Us’ and the Asbury revival
During Super Bowl LVII, nestled among ads for chips and beer came a profound message: Jesus Gets Us. The Servant Foundation, a Kansas organization backed in part by Hobby Lobby, has produced a campaign designed to humanize the Lord. The…
Misogyny is in your church too
In the movie Talladega Nights, race car driver Ricky Bobby (played by Will Ferrell), gathers his family for a celebratory meal after a big win. Quieting the people gathered around the family dinner table, Ricky offers a prayer, a special…
The dubious ethics of Christian Twitter
Twitter is an enticement to sin. How’s that for a lead? Shall I say more? I discovered Twitter early and have maintained a steady presence there, despite various pauses, doubts and regrets. I almost abandoned the site last year when…
Revivals? Well, since you asked …
In the introduction to his classic work, A Faithful Narrative of the Surprising Work of God, published in 1738, Jonathan Edwards, pastor of the Congregational Church in Northampton, Mass., described the behavior of the town youth prior to the awakening…
This isn’t about me
Editor’s note: Last Sunday, Victoria Robb Powers was installed as the first female pastor of Royal Lane Baptist Church. This column is drawn from her comments to the congregation. This is, indeed, a significant, historic moment, and while it…
The Memphis police chief is responsible
A few days after the death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of five Memphis police officers, Chief C.J. Davis stood in front of cameras lamenting the inhumanity of the officers. She sounded like the “good one” in this drama….
When we’re afraid of the dark, God is a Mamaw waiting at home with all the lights on
I was a teenager driving myself home late one night from what we called, “the big city,” Pikeville, Ky. Several of us “juniors going on seniors” had gone to Pikeville that night to watch what I thought was a comedy….
We’re asking the wrong questions about the Asbury revival
“If the only tool you have is a hammer, it is tempting to treat everything as if it were a nail,” said American psychologist Abraham Maslow in 1966. Many of us have probably tried — and failed — to tackle…
Woke, awake or unfaithful? Racism in the white church
Feb. 16-18 at Baylor University’s Truett Seminary, we convened our second national conversation about racism in the white church, “Time to Wake Up.” Although those attending were passionate about the program and online and social media comments before, during and…
Why churches should care about Black History Month
“Why should we talk about Black History Month at our church?” This was a question posed to me by someone at a church I am working with. I had asked for approval to make weekly posts honoring and celebrating Black…