All week long on the blog, I’ve been trying to answer the question: “What I wish I would have known before becoming a pastor.” In this final post in the series, I have a few more responses. I wasn’t prepared for the Christianity of it all. My life is in large part wrapped up inContinue reading “The battle with “Bigger is Better,” and 2 other battles I wasn’t prepared for…and one great joy – What I wish I would have known before becoming a pastor, Part 5″
Tag Archives: culture
Should women be pastors? – Q & A, Part 2
This week we take a break from our Relationships in the Church series. At Faith Church this past week I gave a Q & A sermon. I asked the congregation for questions ahead of time, and then I attempted to bring biblical theology to bear on their questions. What do you think about the roleContinue reading “Should women be pastors? – Q & A, Part 2”
Cliques in the church are good thing? – Meeting together, Part 5
Over the years people in my church have expressed concern that there are cliques in our church family. The word “clique” reminds me of my high school cafeteria. You could look across the large space full of tables and see the cliques, the small groups of people, like the football players, the cheerleaders, the academics, the bandContinue reading “Cliques in the church are good thing? – Meeting together, Part 5”
Are you struggling with fear? – New Year Psalm of Wisdom, Part 2
Are things in our world getting worse? While politicians boldly declare that crime is on the rise, an FBI report says the opposite: “Not only has violent crime fallen 23% from 2002 to 2022, but also in the past year alone murders fell 6% and violent crime declined 2% overall.” (Source: Time) It can be difficultContinue reading “Are you struggling with fear? – New Year Psalm of Wisdom, Part 2”
A clash of cultures in the church – How to interact with people who view the world differently than you, Part 2
As I mentioned in the previous post, 1st Corinthians Paul brings up an issue that was dividing the Corinthian church. Some were okay with the issue, some were not okay, and people were offended. What was this offensive issue? Here’s what Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 8:1-8, “Now about food sacrificed to idols: We knowContinue reading “A clash of cultures in the church – How to interact with people who view the world differently than you, Part 2”
How should Christians interact with the world? – John 15:18-16:4, Preview
How should Christians interact with the world? Here in Lancaster County we have some unique examples of Christians who have chosen to separate themselves from the world, at least in part. Our plain neighbors have largely been successful for centuries in creating a separate culture within the larger culture. Yes, most Lancastrians have stories aboutContinue reading “How should Christians interact with the world? – John 15:18-16:4, Preview”
We need flourishing-producing togetherness for…Creating Culture, Part 5
I traveled with my wife Michelle to Cambodia in 2016. We visited the town where an organization named Agape is located. Agape rescues formerly trafficked women, helps them find healing, introduces them to Jesus, and gives them job training in a steady, safe employment environment. Michelle’s company employed the women to make a variety ofContinue reading “We need flourishing-producing togetherness for…Creating Culture, Part 5”
Jesus’ disciples followed his lead in…Creating Culture, Part 4
Enlivened by his Spirit, Jesus’ new community launched on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). On that day, Jesus’ disciples preached to the descendants of Israel, Jewish pilgrims from many lands who gathered in the city of Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost. What started as a Christian community of 120 men and women, led by Jesus’,Continue reading “Jesus’ disciples followed his lead in…Creating Culture, Part 4”
A uniquely Christian approach to…Creating Culture, Part 3
“What is a uniquely Christian approach to changing culture?” The answer is found in looking at Jesus! As we will see, he created a new culture, a culture in which people flourished. Jesus’ new culture had it’s roots long before he became a human. In fact, this new culture started with a family. To aContinue reading “A uniquely Christian approach to…Creating Culture, Part 3”
Some important definitions and cautions about… – Creating Culture, Part 2
In his book Culture Making, Andy Crouch suggests that “the only way to change culture is to create more of it.”[1] If he is right, the Christian approach to changing culture is to create new culture. So in this post, let’s take a look at some definitions and cautions to help us think Christianly about creatingContinue reading “Some important definitions and cautions about… – Creating Culture, Part 2”
Engaging Scripture 