In the spring of 2003 I had been in my role as Faith Church’s Youth/Associate Pastor for less than 12 months when a nearby sister church approached us with an idea: could we combine youth groups? They were renting space at a local school, and not only did they not have easy access to additionalContinue reading “When I played a Beatles’ song for youth group, and it failed – Meeting together, Part 2”
Tag Archives: unity
Introducing a new blog series: Relationships in the church
This past fall, in front of the whole class, I had to disagree with one of my students. I was teaching Early Church, covering the New Testament books of Acts through Revelation. In that class session, a student remarked at how unified the early church was. It was early in the semester, so this studentContinue reading “Introducing a new blog series: Relationships in the church”
Why it is so good to be wrong – How to interact with people who view the world differently from you, Part 4
So what does it look like to do all to the glory of God when we are interacting with people with whom we disagree? It is clearly putting God first. But how? In 1st Corinthians chapter 8, verse 9, Paul writes, “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumblingContinue reading “Why it is so good to be wrong – How to interact with people who view the world differently from you, Part 4”
The important difference between unity and uniformity – How to interact with people who view the world differently than you, Part 1
A couple years ago, I think it was in 2020 or 2021, I proposed the idea that some members of my extended family listen to the podcast, Seeing White. The goal was to listen to one episode per week, and then discuss it together on a group text message chat. I suggested this idea becauseContinue reading “The important difference between unity and uniformity – How to interact with people who view the world differently than you, Part 1”
Has God denied Jesus’ prayer request for unity? – John 17:6-26, Part 4
Historians observe that Christianity has gone through a major upheaval every 500 years or so. In 476 the Western Roman Empire fell. In 1054 the church split east and west. Then in 1517 the Protestant Reformation splintered the church, opening the door, it seems, for the fracture of the church into thousands and thousands ofContinue reading “Has God denied Jesus’ prayer request for unity? – John 17:6-26, Part 4”
How to live in a covenant of peace with God and others – Ezekiel 37:15-28, Part 5
In this week’s five-part blog series on Ezekiel 37:15-28, we have been observing God’s desires for his people. So far, he expressed his desire for his people to be unified, to be cleansed, and to live under the rule and reign of King Jesus. God has one more desire for them. Look at Ezekiel 37,Continue reading “How to live in a covenant of peace with God and others – Ezekiel 37:15-28, Part 5”
The uncomfortable necessity of unity – Ezekiel 37:15-28, Part 3
Have you ever had the unsettling experience of being in a conversation and having very little idea of what the other person is talking about? You think to yourself, “I am embarrassed that I don’t know about this. It seems like I should have known about this.” I’ve had that feeling in my local ministerium.Continue reading “The uncomfortable necessity of unity – Ezekiel 37:15-28, Part 3”
The important meaning of Ezekiel’s sticks – Ezekiel 37:15-28, Part 2
In Ezekiel 37:15-28, we learn that God has asked Ezekiel, the Saturday Night Live prophet, to do one final skit. Start by reading verses 15-17, where God describes the skit. Here’s a summary of the skit. Ezekiel is to take two sticks. On one stick he writes the word “Judah,” which is the name ofContinue reading “The important meaning of Ezekiel’s sticks – Ezekiel 37:15-28, Part 2”
Ezekiel’s final skit – Ezekiel 37:15-28, Part 1
When I was in youth group, I’ll never forget something that happened at a youth retreat. In the middle of one of the sessions, my youth pastor stopped the retreat and told us that he knew there was disunity in the group. I was a newbie, in 9th grade, and this was my first highContinue reading “Ezekiel’s final skit – Ezekiel 37:15-28, Part 1”
A failed youth group merger? – Ezekiel 37:15-28, Preview
In the fall of 2003 Faith Church’s youth group merged with the youth group of our sister church. Well, we kind of merged. What led to the merger was that our sister church, at the time, was renting space from a local Christian school, and their rental arrangement was not conducive to having a consistentContinue reading “A failed youth group merger? – Ezekiel 37:15-28, Preview”
Engaging Scripture 