For Bishop Eaton, what Lutherans should believe about the Holy Spirit is not as important as maintaining unity. On the other hand, for the ELCA, maintaining unity is not as important as embracing brand new categories of sexual morality and identity which violate the historic moral teaching of the church and Holy Scripture.   Elizabeth... Continue Reading

Christian activities commonly considered crimes include conducting worship services at home, performing baptisms, preaching in church, celebrating Christmas, attending house churches, theological education, and singing worship songs.  In a 2018 verdict, for instance, playing Christian worship songs on a guitar was cited as “misleading Muslim youth” and resulted in a 15-year prison sentence for Amin... Continue Reading

Amidst the painful reality of marriage in a fallen world the archetype of Jesus’ marriage to his church serves not to damn us, nor to dishearten us with an impossible ideal, but to encourage and even empower us. Time and again the Old Testament likens the LORD to a faithful husband who loves Israel his... Continue Reading

The theology of perseverance, when properly understood, translates into concrete actions in the believer’s daily life. First, consistent devotional practice is irreplaceable. If perseverance comes from promises treasured in the heart, regular intake of God’s Word through reading, study, and meditation is vital.   Perseverance is not an option but a calling for every Christian.... Continue Reading

Just imagine if God operated like in this customer service experience. Asking for extra payment and then not fulfilling what he promised to do. When we raise it with him, he tells us to do something and then fails to fulfil that when we do it. When we seek redress, he kicks the can down... Continue Reading

Our culture is one of relentless production. Many of the churches in our culture are fueled by the quest for more. The end result of such a culture is that the church is infected with a restlessness. Another outreach event, another music production and another special service or service project takes the driver’s seat while... Continue Reading

Churches need to include teaching and modeling about being human.   A class was offered recently at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in South Carolina. Annually, this seminary offers an intensive course for pastors and students. This year’s course was in Contemporary Challenges in Pastoral Ministry Among the topics were lectures on preaching, worship leadership, pastoral... Continue Reading

Audience members lined up to share personal stories and ask questions about combating Christian nationalism while maintaining community relationships. Moscow City Councilor Julia Parker was first to the mike, asking how to “be a good, welcoming, kind community” while fighting “this Christian nationalist church.”   More than 250 people packed the Kenworthy Performing Arts Center... Continue Reading

In the 2020s, during a period of high emigration within our country for reasons ranging from Covid reaction and Blue-Red State politics to traditional ones (work, family, retirement), Christians will do well to heed the warnings of their forefathers two centuries ago. . . . Don’t be a Freddie.   Recently, a Christian brother told... Continue Reading

When offering advice to churches on how they can best help their pastor thrive in ministry, former pastors give fewer options. At least one in 10 say congregations should love and respect their pastor’s family, pray for their pastor, give them time off and protect it, encourage and care for them, be supportive and have... Continue Reading