Today I will let you pick the title you like: WAR IS HELL or A GREAT PLACE TO FIND HEAVEN AGAIN. During the American Civil War, U.S. Gen. Tecumseh Sherman commented while torching civilian population centers that “war is hell.”…
We can dance if we want to
By Alice Horner Dancing is a longstanding part of culture. Through every decade, new styles of dancing emerge. Yet more often than not, the church watches from afar. We Christians reserve dancing for the privacy of our own homes, or…
Silent lunch
I turned off the radio in disgust. My blood was boiling, again, and I couldn’t take it anymore. I needed the silence of no hateful talk or adults bickering like children. I needed the silence of just being with God…
The perils of self-preservation
By Bill Wilson A young pastor recounted the events that led to his dismissal. Throughout the painful ordeal, he had relied upon a small group of spiritually mature trusted advisers to help him navigate the uncertainties he faced. As events unfolded,…
I gave up fantasy football for my family
Way back in 2003, I was an unmarried rabid fantasy football and baseball fan. I spent anywhere between 10-20 hours a week tracking, reading, and researching statistics to build the ultimate fantasy football team. Sometimes, I would manage 3 or…
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…
Lessons about church conflict from the government shutdown
Now that the USA government shutdown is over–at least for a while–let’s reflect on the lessons churches can learn from the shutdown about conflict. Many of these are lessons of what not to do. These lessons are also politically neutral….
Falling Upward ‘best book I have read in a decade’
Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life by Richard Rohr is the best book I have read in a decade, and I read a lot of books! Richard Rohr spoke to me on every page of this…
The worst new church member speech ever
By Amy Butler Once during a new member class, I started making the chair of deacons nervous. She pulled me aside and said: “Pastor, don’t you think you should tone it down a little? I mean, it’s good to explain…