The theological gulf between Islam and Christianity is immense, and this means that any contact between the two religions is bound to be fraught.  The easy way would be for Christians to avoid saying anything that would be offensive to Muslims, but that would amount to a vow of silence, and would make contact dishonest... Continue Reading

For too long now, hymn-singing has been left as just another cold dessert choice in the worship cafeteria. Just for those of “a certain age.” Just for those who “desire more tradition in their worship experience.” It’s time those days were over. It’s time to teach our churches how to sing hymns once again. Before... Continue Reading

Strueker said on the front lines, complaints against chaplains are very rare. “Sharing the Scriptures with somebody who’s about take their last breath on a battlefield are the kind of complaints people that are way back in the rear make,” Strueker added. “The guys that are on the battlefield don’t ever make those kind of... Continue Reading

Be aware of sudden changes in behavior such as avoiding certain individuals and inappropriate and advanced sexual play. Familiarize yourself with this Protecting Kids From Abuse and neglect checklist for churches as well. The definitions and counsel here apply beyond our church walls.   Conversations I’ve had with parents who are concerned about protecting their kids from... Continue Reading

“In 2011, supervisors in InterVarsity’s Grand Rapids, Mich., office put a “spiritual formation specialist,” Alyce Conlon, on paid leave to work on repairing her marriage. Later that year, the organization fired her when she and her husband moved forward with a divorce.”   The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship on... Continue Reading

Living in a ministry silo – Staff love their sphere of ministry (e.g., students, music), but few others share their level of passion. Others make decisions that affect their ministry without discussion or dialogue. Calendaring events becomes competition rather than cooperation. The silo gets lonely.   Last week, I posted about burdens pastors often share... Continue Reading

“Faith-based universities are not about to deny their raison d’etre,” said Joel, whose university is a new member of NAICU. “I think that more and more universities, particularly private universities, have to say what we are about and what makes us indispensable.”   WASHINGTON (RNS) Should religious colleges be bound by the same union and... Continue Reading

Gordon College’s case may never become a popular cause. The college is unlikely ever to enjoy the pop-culture power of chicken restaurants and craft stores. But few battles will have more enduring meaning than the fight for Christian education, for the very ability to transmit knowledge and values from one generation to the next.  ... Continue Reading

For a small, self-selected group of Americans, cost-sharing ministries make our broken health care system bearable. There is much to admire in their nonprofit structure and their tireless advocacy for members. The problem is that too often their proponents take them as proof that it’s “in the DNA of Americans to assist and help one... Continue Reading

For those with eyes to see and ears to hear, there is an enormous elephant in the room of church sessions, presbyteries, and denominations. There is much talk of church planting, missions, doctrinal orthodoxy, and the rosiest versions of a given denominational history. Meanwhile men are harming their wives and calling it an exercise of their... Continue Reading