By Jeff Brumley Missional ministry usually involves a church searching beyond its four walls for ways to tackle the pressing needs of its community. Usually. “I agree with the whole missional concept,” said Mart Gray, pastor of Covenant Community Church…
When food oppresses
By Miguel De La Torre Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all…
Following Jesus in a politicized world
Have you noticed some of your Facebook friends taking a sabbatical from social media during the remainder of the 2012 election cycle? The number seems to be growing. For the most part, they do so because they’re tired of the…
Church visits firefighters on 9-11 date
By Jeff Brumley Sometimes, being “missional” means developing innovative ministries and programs that push churches out of buildings into their communities. At other times it just means paying attention to the calendar. Susan Rogers and her congregation at The Well…
That time of year…
I’ve never felt “called” to ministering to university students, but for the better part of 15 years they have been the one age demographic that I have found myself around the most. As a Student Minister at a church, working…
Three questions
Following Jesus — while dealing with family, friends, work, school, the larger world and one’s self — gets complicated. Throw in background noise from political campaigns, product advertising and advocates of all sorts, and it is little wonder we lose…
The empty pew
Though it happened at the dedication of Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem, I imagine it to have been a scene in a Monty Python movie! Solomon is praying in I Kings 8. And most of what he has prayed for is…
Stewardship of the mundane
By Amy Butler Stewardship season is around the corner, and it isn’t a favorite of mine. Perhaps the pastor shouldn’t say those words aloud, but it’s true. From where I sit, it annoys me that we even have a “season”…
Beautiful City
As I’ve been doing some writing today I’ve been listening to music on my computer. I’d loaded some new songs and I smiled as the opening notes of “Beautiful City” from “Godspell” began. It’s always been one of my favorite…