By Amy Butler In general, it’s probably not a great idea for the preacher to get too political in his or her day-to-day life. For one thing, waxing poetic on one’s own personal positions can be mistaken for public endorsement…
A pastor’s take on church shopping
I readily confess: “Church shopping” is a term that I loathe. I think the phraseology just sounds too commercial to apply to a community of faith. I also think that searching for a church home is a crucial life decision…
Is passion a calling?
By Molly T. Marshall When asked by young adults how to discern their life’s work, guidance counselors (as well as career advice books) urge them to “follow their passion.” Cal Newport, a computer science professor at Georgetown, questions this directive….
Social media can change spiritual habits
Remember to enter to win a free copy of my new Judson Press book. Even though 89% of American households have a Bible, the number of those who read it daily is very low. A new study released by LifeWay…
Theology is important
By Henry Green Understanding theology is important. Even those who are dismissive of religion need to take some time to understand the important implications of theology in our world today. While religion is never the entire reason for some of…
Redefining what it means to be great
Pride is essentially competitive; it’s competitive by its very nature. We are not prideful because we are rich, clever, or good-looking. We are prideful because we think we are richer, clever-er, and better-looking. It’s the comparison that makes us proud….
Are Baptists Protestants?
By Tony Peck Are Baptists Protestants? I pondered this question as I attended the recent assembly of the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe in the beautiful city of Florence in Italy. The European Baptist Federation is not a full…
Freedom for peace or for pain?
I probably should work a little harder at commenting in a more timely fashion about current events. Truthfully, it takes me a while to figure out how I feel about things. That was not true with recent events. I know…
Don’t believe in church growth? Get over it
Too many moderate to progressive congregations have decided that believing in church growth is a negative thing. Believing in evangelism may be even worse. They do this to the detriment of their long-term future, and the vitality and vibrancy of…
Medicare, end of life and living our theology
By Gary Cook Medicare is consistently a wedge issues for both sides of the political spectrum. The issue becomes even more controversial in the reality that more than 30 percent of the cost of Medicare comes in the last year…
The intentional gardener
It takes a lot of nerve to ask Sunday school teachers to tend to a zinnia seedling for two months when you’ve got dead ivy sitting in your kitchen window. But it was too perfect an exercise to underscore the…
Replacement referees in the church
“Oh my gosh! Did you see that play? Green Bay should have won the game!” Just about everyone was shocked watching the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks game finish on Monday night. The reactions were swift and critical. Angry…