Growth brings change that can engender fear and discomfort. A pastor was getting a lot of resistance from the former chairperson of the search committee that called him. The church was growing and change was inevitably taking place. When he kindly reminded the search committee chairperson that she said she wanted to see the church grow,... Continue Reading

We must not be cowed into silence in speaking about further societal consequences and about the future of religious liberty, two major issues embedded in this controversy.  But, again, we should not place our faith in any human political or legal structure as our ultimate protector or savior.  Jesus said that his kingdom was “not... Continue Reading

In his life and death, Hus pointed not to himself, but to the Word of God as our only infallible authority for faith and life. God’s Word proclaims the light of the gospel—the good news of Jesus Christ. Hus’ message was simple: To know the truth, the church must go to the source of truth—sacred... Continue Reading

“There was a “cocktail of elements” behind the trend, which is underpinned by a “tremendous amount of prayer”. The elements include a “yearning for something different” arising from violence within the Muslim world; the power of the internet; and the translation of the gospel and missionary materials (including videos) into the “heart languages” of Muslim... Continue Reading

“In the book of First Kings, Elijah faced a wave of persecution and mortal danger beyond anything any American has faced on American soil. He felt alone — terrified that all was coming to an end. He declared to God, “I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”... Continue Reading

“It could be argued that Baptists have been here before: placed outside the bounds of what a the majority considers respectable – or even acceptable – by the legally enshrined predominant collective conventions and social mores of contemporary society.”   A committed evangelical, today I write out of and to my narrower ecclesiastical tradition (Baptist) as I address the... Continue Reading

ATF has special agents and certified fire investigators (CFIs) from several field divisions investigating the fires to determine cause and origin. We are in the early stages of these investigations, but at this time we have no reason to believe these fires are racially motivated or related.   What is the #WhoIsBurningBlackChurches story about? Since... Continue Reading

The above principles and practices are not given as a “formula” for success, though the Lord has blessed these biblical commitments in our body and I can’t help but think he would do so in any congregation. My intent is to acknowledge publicly the Lord’s immeasurable goodness to us undeserving sinners! And, by extension, to... Continue Reading

“The somewhat provocative title of this post should not be seen as a call to emotional hysteria. All too often, the conversation is characterized by shrill voices on both sides of the debate, thus creating a climate where no one can listen. Evangelicals are rank with fear. Why? And what kind of fear is it?”... Continue Reading

On Tuesday, the House of Bishops had approved the resolution, 129-26, with five abstaining, and it was overwhelmingly passed by the House of Deputies, the voting body of lay people and clergy, on Wednesday… The Episcopal Church is the U.S. branch of the global Anglican Communion, and before the vote, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby had... Continue Reading