I didn’t hear the term “the Bible Belt” until early in my adult years. When I asked what it meant, the response was somewhat unsatisfactory. All I got was that it had something to do with the South. Growing up…
What’s wrong with the ‘you’re being divisive’ argument
Pastors, of all people, should recognize this deflection for what it is. It’s a dirty trick they suffer from all the time. The pastor gets up the courage to speak actual truth about some situation — most likely a sermon…
Christian nationalism is a danger to our nation
It is time to defend Christianity from Christian nationalists. This term distorts the message of Jesus and endangers one of the basic liberties provided to every American in the Bill of Rights. Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) recently gave voice to…
Cuban government clamps down more on religion
The Cuban government, long hostile to all forms of religious expression, is tightening down further on communities of faith in response to ongoing economic challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, a religious freedom expert reported. “They must be overwhelmed by…
Three fatal flaws of the Christian faith
Christianity, as we have always known it, is in trouble. I’m not just referring to declining church attendance and survey numbers that suggest fewer and fewer people are interested. Although the spiritual need within humans remains strong, people are looking…
Moving from trauma to action
I was talking with someone very close to me recently who said something important I want to share: Our country has so many things going wrong, so many things really to feel ashamed about in a way, that it seems…
This pastor wants to apologize to the ‘nones’
The church owes numerous apologies to the rapidly growing ranks of the religiously unaffiliated known as the “nones,” author, pastoral counselor and Baptist minister Thomas Rodgerson says. For starters, the term itself needs to be atoned for, even though it…
Antidisestablishmentarianism is attempting a coup: Don’t laugh
I first heard the word “antidisestablishmentarianism” while competing in the spelling bee in my fourth grade class at Decatur (Texas) Elementary School. Our teacher, Mrs. Doyle, touted it then as the longest word in the English language, defined as those…
Facebook is the new voice of temptation whispering to the church in the digital wilderness
In my various stints as a pastor, I have at times joked with friends and colleagues that one way to raise more money for the church would be to sell ad space in the bulletin or offer title sponsorship of…