For years the rock band U2 has been hinting that they are going to release an album called Songs of Ascent. What might “Songs of Ascent” refer to? Why would U2 think of that title? As the years went by, U2 changed directions a bit, first releasing an album called Songs of Innocence, and justContinue reading “What is a song of ascent? (the next U2 album?)”
Tag Archives: worship
The time our church was accused with the words: “That’s not worship!”
“That’s not worship.” The person speaking the words was really frustrated at our church. They were talking about a change we made to our worship service. In that person’s view, the change had turned our worship service into something that was not worship. What change could we make that would take a worship service andContinue reading “The time our church was accused with the words: “That’s not worship!””
What kind of worship does God really want?
Years ago I had a summer book club at Faith Church, and one of books we read was Jim & Casper Go To Church. It is written by a Christian, Jim Henderson, and an atheist, Matt Casper. Jim invited Matt to travel around the country and attend worship services in churches of all shapes andContinue reading “What kind of worship does God really want?”
What if Christianity’s massive investment in worship is wrong?
Is it possible that Christianity’s massive investment in worship is misguided? Think about it. We invest a lot of time, money and energy into worship, don’t we? One morning or evening each week is devoted to it. Our society is very much oriented toward a weekly schedule that keeps Sunday mornings free. We also buildContinue reading “What if Christianity’s massive investment in worship is wrong?”
When Christians should stop inviting people to church
I appreciate a good provocative title. My wife says if I use them too much, people will become callous to them. She’s right. But I really am serious about the title of this blog post. At first I titled it “WHY Christians should stop inviting people to church.” But that was a smidge misleading, andContinue reading “When Christians should stop inviting people to church”
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)”
Why our worship services are not good enough (and God might even hate them)
Worship services could actually be keeping us from worship. Sound impossible? Peter Rollins, in his book Insurrection, suggests that it’s actually very possible. In the Old Testament, God pointed out to the nation of Israel that their worship was not acceptable to him. They were going through the motions of worship, but they weren’t actuallyContinue reading “Why our worship services are not good enough (and God might even hate them)”
Church Has Left The Building recap
On Sunday May 17, Faith Church left it’s building! It was an incredible morning. My group (below) went to Conestoga Valley Christian Community Services, the local social services organization started by area churches to provide free food and clothing to residents in need. It is an awesome place sharing love in the name of Jesus. Continue reading “Church Has Left The Building recap”
Blog Year in Review – Best of 2014?
I think I’m going to have to “grade on the curve”. You know how a teacher removes the highest and lowest student grades, and then regrades a test best on the remaining results? One post was the most popular for the second year in a row. In fact, this post received more than twice asContinue reading “Blog Year in Review – Best of 2014?”
Angel wings, Candle lighter, Blocks of Wood – Monday Messy Office Report – 12/29/2014
My office is tidy Friday, mysteriously messy on Monday. Here’s what I found today. 1. Angel wings. For real. The kind of angel wings that a child might wear in a Nativity play. Except that this set of angel wings wasn’t worn by a child! At our Christmas Eve service, one of our young menContinue reading “Angel wings, Candle lighter, Blocks of Wood – Monday Messy Office Report – 12/29/2014”
Engaging Scripture 