Iraq’s Christians have a long history of learning what to do under an oppressive state: They continue to worship, to help one another, and to pray. Many have told me they have new appreciation for Kurdish protection, despite tensions in managing the crisis. Dagher told me worship services are overflowing in Erbil, and he preached... Continue Reading

The practice of the first 600 years of the church and for the 200 years of Reformation is more ancient than the 18th and 19th-century revisions that his approach seeks to preserve. To the “contemporary worship” folk I say: Perhaps historic worship would interest you more if you saw how truly radical it is?  ... Continue Reading

“The Portland chapter of Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) is facing resistance from some area residents as they conduct voluntary summer camps in the area and plan on hosting after-school Bible studies in local public schools. The problem? CEF teaches children that each person is a sinner in need of the Savior.”   A chapter of... Continue Reading

We can bring the Great Commission to our radar not by seeing it as a project but by seeing it as people. Who are five people in your neighborhood who need Jesus Christ?  These can range from militant atheists, to the religiously disinterested, to those vaguely spiritual, to the seekers who seem not far from... Continue Reading

There are Christians who believe we should come to God on our knees as a supplicant. Others stretch their arms aloft like a child, as if begging for their heavenly Father to lift them up. Imagine an average Presbyterian going into a Charismatic service where speaking in tongues is common. The mainline Protestant might wonder... Continue Reading

“The difference between World Vision’s approach to violence in Syria and Israel is so stark that it is impossible to believe that the people who run the organization from their offices in Federal Way, Washington do not see what is happening. People like Kevin Jenkins, the organization’s international president, simply do not get put in... Continue Reading

“One African-American church planter summarized these concerns well. In an interview for a dissertation on African-American church planters, the man said, “It is a struggle to not feel guilty about not being where other people think you should be, especially if you think that it is simply because of your skin tone…This is a struggle... Continue Reading

The military chaplaincy provides a remarkable circumstance for teaching the great truths of Scripture, even in the context of some opposition from those who are hostile to God’s Holy Word, and many who are eager to hear and understand the Bible.  It also presents challenges which can be instrumental in a pastor’s own spiritual growth in grace, discernment and effectiveness.... Continue Reading

“…children learn to sing hymns with help from their parents. This past Sunday I witnessed three different sets of families where one of the parents placed their hymnal low enough for the child next to them to sing and the parent’s finger was sliding along the text and music so the child could learn to... Continue Reading

It’s a sad thing when good institutions and good people are unfairly characterized or misrepresented. It’s the kind of sadness (and anger) that I feel when vitriolic, demeaning or hateful language are directed against people because of their race, gender, or sexual identity. In both cases, we poison our public discourse and undermine our ability... Continue Reading