Twenty-five years ago, Lyle Schaller told a group of ministers in North Carolina that if we wanted to stay conversant with what was happening in the country and also peek around the corner at what might be trending next, simply…
REVIEW: ‘Gravity’ opens doors to discuss the spiritual nature of grief
The story in Gravity appears to be about a space flight gone wrong. But there is much more going on here than just a movie with some exquisite special effects. The space flight becomes the stage for a much more…
OPINION: The glorious weight of gravity
Gravity is being hailed as a must-see movie. The IMAX experience is one of incredible beauty and thrilling danger. Most of us who see this movie will go for all of the tail-end-of-summer action adventure that it promises, but I…
VIEWPOINT: Biblical sites abound in nation whose people embrace visitors from abroad
The most common question I got from people when they learned that I was traveling to Jordan was, “Do you think it is safe?” My response was, “I don’t think the Jordanian government would invite us unless they thought it…
FIRSTHAND: Preaching camp’s success leads to follow up this month
Several months ago, I was having a casual lunch with a minister colleague. Enjoying and appreciating this time of friendship and mutual support, we covered an array of topics. The one topic that began to dominate our conversation, and probably…
LETTER: Those who embrace ‘wrong’ theology don’t support violence
Concerning the article about the conference in Washington to raise awareness of the plight of Palestinian Christians, I am one of those who embraces the “wrong” theology, that Israel belongs to the Jews. In Genesis 17:8, God said to Abraham,…
OPINION: Partners in faith: A theology for merger
You’ve read on this website that the Religious Herald and Associated Baptist Press are merging on Jan. 1, 2014. The decision of the two respective boards is more an act of faith than a business arrangement, in my view. We…
LEADERSHIP LINK: Dealing with criticism and critical people
Eventually, every pastor or staff member will do something about which a church member becomes angry or disappointed. I still remember the time a few weeks into my first pastorate when I learned this painful lesson. One of our deacons…
OPINION: The hand we’re dealt
I spend a lot of time thinking, writing and teaching on the current religious climate in America and how churches and individual Christians can thrive despite the seemingly downward spiral of decline. While practicing Christianity in the 21st century, especially…