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…
Educating those we would evangelize
By Bill Leonard In 1833 Lyman Beecher, minister, educator and patriarch of one of America’s most prominent Protestant families, became president of Lane Theological Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio. Beecher’s move from his native New England was reflected in his essay,…