The streets of Ferguson had grown quiet, but this was not to last. After weeks of deliberation and hours upon hours of testimony, the grand jury tasked with determining whether or not Office Darren Wilson should be charged with any…
For what we are about to smoke …
By John Chandler In July, the New York Times posted one of the most noted editorials in its history, calling for the national legalization of marijuana. Using the tired argument of anti-pot laws as akin to Prohibition, it made legitimate…
How can Jesus and Santa get along?
Every year I struggle with a Christmas ritual that millions of parents have no problem with: a visit with Santa Claus in a season that is about Jesus. How can Jesus and Santa get along? Why do I struggle? For some parents, Christmas…
What does it mean to be a minister without a congregation at Advent and Christmas?
Craig T. Kocher: What does it mean to be a minister without a congregation at Advent and Christmas?
In Praise of ‘Third Way’ Congregations
UncommonBaptistPastor
The race talk
By Starlette McNeill Race. The mere mentioning of the word reveals our unpreparedness, inexperience, awkwardness. Race has been with us for hundreds of years, yet we still don’t know what to say about it — though we are clear on…
Why do we have all these church programs?
My colleagues hate it when I read, especially something that isn’t religious, theological or churchy! For instance, when I read Googled: The End of the World as We Know It I ended up in a conference in California, and we…
‘The Theory of Everything’ offers unflinching view of marriage
Relationships are hard. Forces at work within them bring stress and strain, making it difficult for relationships to work and last. Add that stress and strain to an incurable disease and you have the formula for the docudrama, The Theory…
Advent: Jesus’ DNA?
By Bill Leonard “What was Jesus’ DNA?” That’s a question my Wake Forest University colleague, physics professor Jed Macosko, says someone once asked him. Macosko mentioned it while concluding a superb lecture on DNA, Darwinism and evolution offered in the…
Race, Ferguson, and Youth Ministry
There are important conversations happening now in American about race. Since I’m a student minister, I’ve been thinking about my students and how this conversation needs to include them. So, how do I talk with teenagers about something as big…
5 Things I’ve Learned in 5 Weeks Out of Church
Consider this official. I am issuing an apology to every member of every church that I have served over the last 20+ years. Two weeks ago, we set a personal record that I never thought I would reach. We hit…
Jesus, Superheroes, & Advent
No question. We have become obsessed with superheroes. In the next few years there is expected to be over 30 superhero movies directed, produced, and released to a general public who cannot get enough of seeing their favorite comic book…