On Sundays in many churches, personal use of a Bible in any form is unnecessary. Congregants know little of its contents and, barring a possible Sunday school or confirmation class, there’s insufficient training on how to handle it correctly. One mom scornfully described the classes of her own children’s church experience as “God loves you. Draw a tree.” Churches like … Read More
How Church History Helps Us
Last week, we discussed the question “should we judge a movement by his abuses?” Yet, it’s impossible to answer this question well without a basic knowledge of church history. Indeed, as I’ve said here: “a knowledge of history and tradition can provide perspective when church leaders fall or are exposed.” Last week, someone sent me a note asking me to … Read More
Expository Preaching and the Future of Christianity, Part 2
“The ultimate healing of the world’s hurt is not to be effected by legislation but by the redeeming grace of God, and the proclamation of that redeeming grace is the highest work to which any man can be called.” – Congregational minister, J.D. Jones[1] As we said last week, expository preaching is essential to building individuals and families that love … Read More
Expository Preaching and the Future of Christianity, Part 1
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? Romans 10:14, ESV Last week, I talked here about the future of Christianity and how it’s tied to the importance of “moms and dads … Read More
The Problem with “Church-free” Christianity
A local church defined biblically is “a group of believers banded together for worship, edification, service, fellowship, and outreach; accepting spiritual leadership; willing to minister to all segments of society through the various gifts in the body;” and regularly practicing the sacraments.[1] That’s why any celebration of a “church-free” Christianity is problematic. Although I’ve had many seasons where I didn’t … Read More
Shame-based versus Grace-based Churches
In my role as Executive Director of Church Outreach and Engagement at Care Net, I’m constantly talking about the need to refer pregnancy center clients to “grace-based churches.” Often I’m asked what I mean by this term and, although there are several things I have in mind, below is the story of where I first heard the term, as well … Read More
The Double Helix of Faith and Family, Part 4 of 4: The Discipleship Imperative
I mentioned in part two of this series that my mom’s parents brought a spiritual strength and stability to our family just by their proximity. And, when they left the area, a healthy spiritual influence was lost. I also explained that this was one of the factors that contributed to my mom’s lack of spiritual support and vulnerability to “bad religion.”[1] I … Read More
My Favorite Making Life Disciples Story of 2018
Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; our God is merciful. (Psa. 116:5, NRSV) I have the privilege of leading a national ministry that’s intimately connected to the heart of God. In short, my job is to promote the use of a ministry tool called Making Life Disciples (MLD) that’s designed to equip a select group of individuals in a local … Read More
How to Avoid Toxic Leaders and Churches
I was in Barnes & Noble the other day and picked up a copy of Time magazine’s commemorative issue on cult killers. Charles Manson was the cover poster child as you might expect. As I leafed through the periodical, however, the images that caught my attention the most were those of the Jonestown Massacre. “Of the nearly 1,000 church members … Read More
Focus for Fall: Big Lessons from Small Creatures, Part 4 of 5
“Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise: the ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer; the rock badgers are a people not mighty, yet they make their homes in the cliffs; the locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank; the lizard you can take in your hands, yet it is in kings’ … Read More