This weekend my sermon is about race. Our sermon series is called Life in These United States, and we’re talking about what everyone is talking about. Race relations have been in the news a lot in recent years, and again this week there have been two shootings of black men by police officers. These shootingsContinue reading “What does God say about race and diversity?”
Tag Archives: church
What does the Bible say about Sex?
I feel a bit like the parent who knows they ought and need to talk with their pubescent child about the birds and the bees, but because it is so awkward they procrastinate. Except this time, I’m talking to the church, an entire congregation, on a Sunday morning, about the birds and bees. Yeah, weContinue reading “What does the Bible say about Sex?”
What in the world is Christian “outreach”?
It has been a few years, but for a long time every fall Faith Church held a Harvest Bazaar. Before that it was called a Christmas Bazaar. Many people in our congregation would cook up a storm in their kitchens, creating delicacies for the bake shop. Others would staff the snack shop, making amazing chickenContinue reading “What in the world is Christian “outreach”?”
Two things Jesus did not tell us to do (but we do), and one he did tell us to do (but we don’t)
I’m super excited that the Olympics start today. Soccer is my favorite sport, so while I’m disappointed the US men’s team didn’t qualify, the women’s team looks to make a gold medal run, and I’ll be cheering them on! In honor of that quest, I thought I’d show you this picture of a Jesus figurineContinue reading “Two things Jesus did not tell us to do (but we do), and one he did tell us to do (but we don’t)”
How to rehab a relationship
Do you have relationships that need rehab? There is help! Fellowship! In the very first account of how the earliest Christians interacted with one another, Acts 2:42-47, we read that they devoted themselves to the fellowship? What is fellowship? That word “fellowship” in verse 42 is defined by Louw & Nida as “an association involvingContinue reading “How to rehab a relationship”
Could a church worship service be a bad thing?
Did you have a security blanket as a kid? Maybe it was a special stuffed animal or a pacifier. Or did you suck your thumb? I had a blanket as a child. My own kids had a variety of security items, which got progressively bizarre. Child #1 carried around a blanket, which we had snuglyContinue reading “Could a church worship service be a bad thing?”
How the church has gotten in the way of God’s Kingdom…and what to do about it.
The subtitle of author Reggie McNeal’s book Kingdom Come, is compelling: “why we must give up our obsession with fixing the church—and what we should do instead”. That grabbed me! In the book, he tells the story of when he was at a conference for pastors and said this: “We’ve been working at fixing theContinue reading “How the church has gotten in the way of God’s Kingdom…and what to do about it.”
Why we’re getting rid of the word “evangelical” from our church sign
Evangelicals are in the news! Donald Trump recently met with Evangelical leaders. I have seen so many articles about Evangelicals and politics these past few weeks. Some signaling the demise of evangelicalism. Some talking about the decline of evangelical influence. What in the world is an Evangelical, anyway? We are Faith Evangelical Congregational Church. WeContinue reading “Why we’re getting rid of the word “evangelical” from our church sign”
What future societies might say about American Christians in 2016
Imagine people 2000 years from now studying Christianity. What would they say about us? What is important to us? They would have to conclude that buildings are very important to us, and what happens in those buildings on Sunday mornings is also very important to us. Take away the building and Sunday morning, and someContinue reading “What future societies might say about American Christians in 2016”
That time a military recruiter called me with an amazing proposal
A couple years ago, I got one of those out-of-the blue calls that sounded legit, but also made me very suspicious. It was from a military recruiter, the Army Reserves to be precise. At the time I was 39 years old. Not quite the age anymore to be considered for military service. He explained thatContinue reading “That time a military recruiter called me with an amazing proposal”
Engaging Scripture 