We’re hearing a lot these days about dechurching, deconstruction, and decline. Church attendance in America is dropping. Is this a crisis or merely a correction? Is it more of a problem or an opportunity? What can we expect for the future of the American church landscape? I’m not a prophet or the son of aContinue reading “A Crisis or a Correction?”
Category Archives: Church
Christian Celebrity Culture Is Moving Us to a Post Christian Era
While a majority of Americans have a positive view of Jesus, most, including Christians, also have a negative opinion of celebrity Christian culture, celebrity pastors, Evangelicals, megachurches and famous worship bands, a new study from Barna Group shows. And the situation is among a number of drivers inching the nation toward a post-Christian era. TheContinue reading “Christian Celebrity Culture Is Moving Us to a Post Christian Era”
Church Complexity
“Put every hook in the water you can, and you will catch more fish.” That was the church growth advice I heard from a local pastor and tried to apply in my own church until I discovered every hook takes time, money, volunteers, and a lot of emotional energy. We had the hooks. We justContinue reading “Church Complexity”
Looking Deeper…
The background for Ephesians 3:14-19 lies in the broader context of the letter written by the apostle Paul to the Ephesian believers. In this specific section, Paul offers a prayer for the spiritual growth and understanding of the Ephesian Christians. The passage is part of a larger prayer that begins in verse 1 of EphesiansContinue reading “Looking Deeper…”
Copies of True Things
The background for the text in Hebrews 9:24 lies in the context of the Old Testament and the sacrificial system established by God for the Israelites. In the Old Testament, God commanded the construction of the tabernacle, a portable sanctuary, and later, the temple in Jerusalem, as places of worship and sacrifice. These physical structuresContinue reading “Copies of True Things”
Born Unto Slavery to Become a Missionary
At the turn of the 20th century, the Congo Free State was one of the hardest places to be a human. For several decades, Belgian soldiers and business owners brutalized thousands of Congolese locals. They pursued rubber profits at whatever cost, taking the lives of men, women, and children who were forced to serve theContinue reading “Born Unto Slavery to Become a Missionary”
No One Standing in the Gap
Although most churchgoers want to serve in their communities for gospel impact, there is a noticeable gap when it comes to the number who are already volunteering for a charity. Most Protestant churchgoers say their churches encourage them to serve people not affiliated with their church and that they want to do so. But fewContinue reading “No One Standing in the Gap”
An Open Letter to Graduating High School Students
Dear Graduating High School Seniors, Some of you have heard hundreds of sermons over the years—many of them at church, and for some of you, one sermon a week for the past dozen years in your Christian school.1 This is a season of milestones for many of you. Final papers and final exams. Last games,Continue reading “An Open Letter to Graduating High School Students”
Another Take on Division in the Church
Division in the church has been a problem since its earliest days. There are detailed Biblical accounts of rows over theology, preferences for preachers, deciding what’s ethical behavior, and more. Two explanations are often given for our disunity. Firstly, truth: that the church must split when a fundamental doctrine of our faith is in danger.Continue reading “Another Take on Division in the Church”
Put Them to Work Serving
One of the best ways to combat disengagement is to have a well-developed plan to equip young adults to serve in ministry in the church. Many churches vocalize frustrations that few young adults participate and serve in the life of their church. But, if you’re not willing to train and place young adults in significantContinue reading “Put Them to Work Serving”
Intentional Faith 