For the BGAV and CBF, perhaps “communion” now means we just share a little instead of share abundantly. Maybe “communion” now means we have only periodic public fellowship with each other instead of intimate friendship as brothers and sisters in Christ. Perhaps “communion” now means rapport and affinity move towards separation and estrangement.
How our church doubled our Wednesday night attendance in one week
If Sunday and midweek attendance patterns are not going back to the 1950s, then every church should consider creative ways to engage people in the culture as it exists, not the culture in which our grandparents lived.
How churches can combat the opioid crisis in 2018
In 2017, we heard more than ever about the opioid crisis in the United States. There seems to be bipartisan agreement that a serious problem exists, and perhaps even a bipartisan agreement on meaningful solutions. Last year, I became deeply…
The Scopes Monkey Trial and global warming: Same playbook, different football
It’s been nearly a hundred years since The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes, but for many, science (or the Bible — depending on your perspective) remain on trial.
Embracing doubt for the sake of the Great Commission
I was at a denominational conference this week and heard a speaker say plainly, and at times quite forcefully, that there is no room for doubt in the Christian faith, that serious Christians should have pre-packaged and ready-made answers for…
Creating our own American hell
In the last several days, I have watched yet more police shootings, with compelling video evidence that the use of such force was highly unjustified. I watched a United States senator handily dismantle a Wall Street banker (in a hearing…
What judgmental Christians and playboy Olympic swimmers have in common
When we allow judgmental individuals to set the ministry agenda in our churches, or dominate the air-time of our congregational energy, we surrender the church’s ability to be a conduit of God’s grace in the world. We put grace on the backburner.
Hillary Clinton interviews with a pastor search committee
First off, let me say how honored I am to finally be your candidate. Truthfully, I’ve been eyeing this position for years. In fact, my lifelong goal has been to become your pastor. As Paul says, “I’ve kept my eye…
Donald Trump interviews with a pastor search committee
I’m so on your side. I’m a tremendous pastor. When I’m your pastor, we’ll be winning again. That’s the problem with churches. We’re not winning anymore.
A call for renewed servant leadership at Baylor
A 1996 song by Paula Cole states: Where is my John Wayne? Where is my prairie song? Where is my happy ending? Where have all the cowboys gone? Now that I’ve got that tune stuck in your head, as I…
What if we actually applied the Bible to our politics?
What if the lens we viewed politics through was the Bible? No, really! Seriously. For me, it might go something like this: The way of Christ compels me to love God with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. The…
Atheist ministers, the search for meaning and the future of the Church
This week I watched a news story from CTV in Canada that quoted “atheist minister” Gretta Vosper, who serves at a church with the word “Christ” in its name. First of all, I’m mind-blown by the phrase “atheist minister.” More…