The end of a year is a great time to review what you’ve done. It’s also a chance for evaluation and recommitment. Sometimes a look back can remind you of who you are. That’s true for individual lives, for families, for churches, and even for blogs. We have worked to… Read More
Reverence. Awe. Reflection. While traveling, I’ve been privileged to visit some of the world’s most renowned churches, among them Notre Dame, Sainte Chapelle, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel. In each, I have been overcome with a reverence that’s different from what I feel… Read More
My friend Bruce Main taught me the word praxis. I’m sure I had run across it in some theology text, but Bruce was actually using the word in a sentence, like it meant something. We were meeting at a South Jersey diner a few years ago. Bruce was giving an… Read More
As we lead people into Bible engagement, there’s one great blessing we shouldn’t ignore: the text itself is readily available online. Bible Search, Bible Gateway, YouVersion and other services offer a free Scripture library unimaginable even thirty years ago. While… Read More
Churches have five seasons of the year: September Advent/Christmas January Lent/Easter Summer Yes, that’s a simplification, and it wanders from the liturgical calendar that governs many churches, but when it comes to planning new things for your congregation—new campaigns, emphases, programs, even preaching themes—these five seasons… Read More
People with dramatic “Damascus Road” conversion stories often get a lot of press. We love to hear them talk. You probably know some people with testimonies like this, totally unexpected encounters with the living God. One friend of mine became a believer because she encountered Jesus in a dream. Far… Read More
Why is it so difficult to get men into small group Bible studies? I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who’s tried to figure that one out. For me, the revelation came when my church decided to hold a golf tournament. No, seriously. I don’t golf—but as… Read More
In centuries past, especially before printing presses and widespread literacy, church buildings themselves were designed to illustrate Scripture. Stained glass, sculptures and murals depicted Daniel in the lion’s den, Ruth collecting wheat in Boaz’s field, and Christ walking toward Calvary. These works of art helped people relate to the… Read More
The Q Conference had its usual mind-altering effects, as Christians gathered in Denver this spring to consider questions of faith and culture. Numerous hot topics were on the docket, including race relations, euthanasia, marijuana use, gun ownership, gender dysphoria, and refugees. The forward-thinking Q planners even included talks… Read More
It was my first day as discipleship pastor at Browncroft Community Church. A key volunteer approached me and blurted, “We are two months behind in the Read365 program. What do you want to do?” This was the stuff of nightmares. I hardly knew the program, much less the… Read More
