I believe your small town church can grow; I believe this because I’m living it. The small town church where I serve as Executive Pastor will turn 12 years old this year. In those 12 years we’ve experienced incredible growth in many different areas. We’ve seen hundreds of people experience salvation and take their nextContinue reading “Five Decisions that Helped Turn Around My Small Town Church”
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Bethel Music and Bieber Sang It. But Do We Really Believe in ‘Reckless Love’?
Worship experts weigh in on the theology beneath Cory Asbury’s chart-topping hit. Bethel Music’s Cory Asbury hit it big with his song about the “the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God.” “Reckless Love” reached No. 1 for Christian airplay last week, with more than 10 million listeners, according to Nielsen Music. It’s also back atContinue reading “Bethel Music and Bieber Sang It. But Do We Really Believe in ‘Reckless Love’?”
One-on-One with Sam Chan on Evangelism in a Skeptical World
The essence of evangelism is the gospel message—true for all peoples, all places, and all times. Sam Chan, a practicing medical doctor and a public evangelist with City Bible Forum in Sydney, Australia, recently wrote Evangelism in a Skeptical World: How to Make the Unbelievable News about Jesus More Believable. Below, I talk with himContinue reading “One-on-One with Sam Chan on Evangelism in a Skeptical World”
Interview: Rosaria Butterfield: Christian Hospitality Is Radically Different from ‘Southern Hospitality’
It has nothing to do with entertainment—and everything to do with addressing the crisis of unbelief. Before Rosaria Butterfield became a popular Christian author, she was a tenured professor at Syracuse University, a lesbian feminist fighting to advance the cause of LGBTQ equality, and an unlikely convert. In 1999, her life intersected with the gospelContinue reading “Interview: Rosaria Butterfield: Christian Hospitality Is Radically Different from ‘Southern Hospitality’”
5,000 Pastors Rally to Defend Housing Tax Break Ruled Unconstitutional
Appeal: Exemptions do more than just save pastors $800 million a year. When a pastor responds to late-night prayer request or invites congregants to his home for Bible study, is he just doing his job or going beyond the call of duty? That’s not a question for the federal government to decide, according to theContinue reading “5,000 Pastors Rally to Defend Housing Tax Break Ruled Unconstitutional”
The Moral of Moral Failings of Christian Leaders
The character of Christian leaders is in question. We need to ask why and work for change. The past few months (and if we are honest, the past few years) have been hard for Christians, and evangelicals in particular. I’ve felt it myself as I’ve had to deal with some good friends confess to failures,Continue reading “The Moral of Moral Failings of Christian Leaders”
Willow Creek Promises Investigation Amid New Allegations Against Bill Hybels
“We are sorry,” elder board says as more women claim misconduct. Last night, Willow Creek Community Church made a promise to its members following the early departure of its founder and senior pastor, Bill Hybels. “Even though Bill is no longer in his role, our work to resolve any shadow of doubt in the trustworthinessContinue reading “Willow Creek Promises Investigation Amid New Allegations Against Bill Hybels”
One-on-One with Brian Stiller on “From Jerusalem to Timbuktu”
The gospel springs into life and people are transformed. Ed: What led you to write From Jerusalem to Timbuktu? Brian: North America media promotes the perception that the church is slowly dying. But in my travels, I see amazing communities of faith. In Latin America in 1900, there were 50,000 evangelicals. Today, there are overContinue reading “One-on-One with Brian Stiller on “From Jerusalem to Timbuktu””
Jesus, Take the Control Wheel: Southwest Pilot Saw Flying as Ministry
Fellow Texas Baptists cheer on Tammie Jo Shults, who heroically landed Flight 1390 after engine failure. BOERNE, Texas (BP)— When members of First Baptist Church in Boerne, Texas, heard recordings of radio transmissions from a Southwest Airlines pilot who made a harrowing emergency landing this week in Philadelphia, they recognized the voice as one ofContinue reading “Jesus, Take the Control Wheel: Southwest Pilot Saw Flying as Ministry”
My Son’s Down Syndrome Showed Me the Real Imago Dei
It didn’t look at all like I thought it did. For the majority of my theologically trained life, my ideas of what it meant to bear the image of God were quite conventional—easy inheritances from systematic theologies or books. We can love because God is love. We have the capability to reason; God is theContinue reading “My Son’s Down Syndrome Showed Me the Real Imago Dei”