A Cool Take on Hot Takes
My question is simple: Why in the world are we so eager to take sides, especially when the sides center around evangelical celebrities that most of us do not know and will never know on a personal level?
Church
What Do You Do the Sunday after a Mass Shooting?
I don’t have a one-sized-fits-all answer for what you do at church the Sunday after a mass shooting. I do know what happened at Immanuel.
4 Responsibilities of “Sending Churches”
On a practical level, what would it look like for our churches to embrace the responsibility of sending missionaries and missionary teams to the ends of the earth? I think a church that wants to be a “sending church” must embrace these four responsibilities.
“Gotcha” Needs to Go
If you’re involved with the strange, online world of evangelical Christianity, you may have noticed a trend over the last several years. Many websites, social media platforms, blogs, and podcasts have taken a page right out of the playbook of American politics.
Is My Child Ready to Be Baptized?
“I think my child is ready to be baptized.” Regular pastors hear these words regularly. Little Johnny has asked a question about heaven, angels, death, or something remotely spiritual, and now Johnny’s parents think he’s ready to be baptized. Setting all skepticism aside, this is an encouraging and exciting development in the life of any child.
Eugene Peterson and Regular Pastors
Recently I’ve read through The Pastor, Peterson’s memoir. Towards the end of this self-reflective work, Peterson gives a remarkable description of church in America. I’m not championing everything Peterson wrote, said, preached, or stood for. However, his writing has struck a chord with me – a regular pastor.
The Value of Congregational Singing
Last night my church (Immanuel) had a joint worship night with another local church (Redemption). We gathered together to read Scripture and respond in worship. As we sang praises to God, I was reminded of the value of congregational singing.
5 Things I Don’t Want to Hear in a Sermon
As a regular pastor I get excited about the occasional opportunity to “go” to church with my family. While there are certain things I do want to hear on these occasional Sundays, there are also a number of things I don’t want to hear.
5 Things I Want to Hear in a Sermon
My favorite part of summer vacation isn’t getting away from the busyness of life … it’s getting to “go” to church with my family. In particular, I get excited about listening to good preaching with my family.
