In the past two decades, society and churches have endured significant challenges and gone through some sizeable changes. Obviously, COVID has brought about its own set of issues, but many developments began long before the pandemic. In addition to differences in the average worship service, the general makeup of churches has undergone substantial shifts sinceContinue reading “The Church Is a Changing”
Author Archives: Intentional Faith
The Toughest Job You Will Ever Have
Parenting is a weighty responsibility. Soon after the initial joys of being a parent set it, we are met with this truth. This most adorable little person is entirely dependent upon me for nearly everything. The burdens are myriad: physical, emotional, financial, educational, etc. But it’s the spiritual burden that rises above the others. AsContinue reading “The Toughest Job You Will Ever Have”
Know Your Vaccines
The following is a list of different types of vaccines, their method of attacking a pathogen, risks, and which pathogens they are used against. (It can be daunting but it gives you a working knowledge) “All vaccines work by exposing the body to molecules from the target pathogen to trigger an immune response – butContinue reading “Know Your Vaccines”
Ladies, What Submission Is Not!
The Lord is raising up a veritable army of holy women holding men accountable for abuse in the home, church, and society. Women such as Rachel Denhollander, Jennifer Greenberg, Diane Langberg, Naghmeh Panahi, and Julie Roys are telling their stories and/or those of others. In the process, they are shining light on leaders who areContinue reading “Ladies, What Submission Is Not!”
Ageism Is the Newest Threat for the Oldest Among Us
Given the headlines associated with older people, even before the pandemic, it may not be surprising to discover that the last five years has seen a steep rise in ageism in the UK. The government’s recent announcement of the Health and Social Care levy to help address funding of social care has perhaps reinforced theContinue reading “Ageism Is the Newest Threat for the Oldest Among Us”
The Law of Contradiction and Double Think
I taught a course this fall semester on totalitarian novels. We read four of them: George Orwell’s 1984, Arthur Koestler’s Darkness at Noon, Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, and C.S. Lewis’s That Hideous Strength. The totalitarian novel is a relatively new genre. In fact, the word “totalitarian” did not exist before the 20th century. TheContinue reading “The Law of Contradiction and Double Think”
Are Small Churches Back?
Some people have written off the current generation spiritually. That is a mistake – for the church and for the millennials. There’s growing evidence that this new generation will bring the greatest opportunity for small church ministry in 2,000 years. Why? Because, as the first generation with a majority born and raised outside traditional marriage,Continue reading “Are Small Churches Back?”
Rend Your Heart
The prophet Joel functioned as a spiritual watchman over Judah. In Joel 2:12–19, he pleaded with the nation to turn to the Lord in genuine repentance as the only way to avoid the devastating destruction of the coming “day of the Lord” (Joel 1:15). The prophet’s call began like so: “‘Even now,’ declares the LORD,Continue reading “Rend Your Heart”
The World Is Afraid and the Church Isn’t Helping
Since the beginning of creation, fear and hope have been parts of our psyche. But even as we are made in the image of God, fear and hope do not come from God in the sense that He has these traits too. For He neither fears, nor hopes, because He knows all things, is beyondContinue reading “The World Is Afraid and the Church Isn’t Helping”
Why Is No One Reporting This?
A Baptist pastor was shot dead in Chin state in Myanmar/Burma on 18 September amid continued attacks by the Myanmar military on civilians in the state. According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), Pastor Cung Biak Hum, 31, was shot by soldiers as he tried to help extinguish a blaze caused by artillery fire, which destroyed 19Continue reading “Why Is No One Reporting This?”
