In his recent lament over the Trayvon Martin tragedy, evangelical leader Jim Wallis implored: “If there ever was a time that demonstrated why racially and culturally diverse congregations are needed — that time is now.” For the past 4 1/2…
Does your church look like a warehouse?
For the last 30 years, it has become popular for new churches to build their worship and ministry space to look like a warehouse or storehouse (or use an actual warehouse). The “Emergent” or “Emerging Church” and ultra contemporary church…
Baptist second in Facebook song vote
By Bob Allen A North Carolina Baptist worship minster’s song is running a strong second in fan voting midway through a month-long contest leading to a top-prize billing alongside some of the biggest names on the contemporary Christian music scene….
Eva and the evening
With anticipatory excitement, we sat huddled at the end of the driveway – Eva, my husband Mark, and me. It was summer, it was near dark and we were sitting in fold-up metal and plastic-webbed chairs, almost in the street. …
White to black — or black to white
A lady called some weeks ago saying that her church was in deep trouble. No surprise here — many churches are “in deep trouble” for various reasons. She said the pastor decided to fire the part-time music director who had…
A recipe for blended worship
By Bob Burroughs I prefer to call the “worship wars” by another name: “worship preferences.” This, to me, better describes the situation in the vast majority of churches in our country today. We are really not at “war” over worship…
The stress of the movable Sabbath
Someone at church once asked me, “When is your day off?” I replied, “Friday.” “Wow.” He said. “I wish I could have Friday’s off. Must be nice.” “Well, I don’t get many Sundays off. That must be nice to have…
Is giving an offering — as an expression of worship — dying?
With online giving through a congregation’s web site, or texting a contribution, or bank drafts, or offering boxes in a corner of the worship space or narthex, or discouraging visitors from giving an offering at seeker services, or giving through…
Learning from monks
Recently, I spent a few days at Mount Saviour Monastery and it was an incredible time of reflection, prayer, and spiritual enrichment. I also instituted a social media blackout. I must admit, I didn’t know what to expect. My friend and follow pastor David…