As the Word teaches us, the Spirit distributes different gifts in the church. Some Christians may be called and equipped to defend the faith publicly. Others, however, demonstrate that faith through a variety of ministries aimed at those in physical need.     The late Christopher Hitchens was fond of saying that “religion poisons everything,”... Continue Reading

It's tempting to focus on one aspect of church involvement closed to women rather than rejoice over the hundreds of ways we can and should be serving. If I am not a pastor, does that mean my service means less? Not so, according to Paul, who teaches us to take joy in working hard for God in every way he has gifted us, for the benefit of the body and to God's glory.

The Reformation Society of Indiana will be hosting their Fall Conference at Second Reformed Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana again this year. Dates are November 16th and 17th.

“We affirm that the use of contraceptives is a responsible and morally acceptable means to greater control over the number and timing of births, and to improve the overall developing and flourishing of women and children,” said the Rev. Jennifer Crumpton, one of the advisers to the evangelical group.     A coalition of evangelicals... Continue Reading

A couple of months ago, I made a joke and asked if there were any yankees (or maybe non-Southerners) in the crowd (don't remember the exact words). But, I do remember that more than half of the attendees raised their hands, much to my surprise. When I asked several, they explained why. As new people in the community, they found it hard to connect in established churches, but here they found relationships in the church plant and are now growing in their faith (or taking steps toward faith).

We found that parents who teach their kids a children's catechism, and then try to learn an adult one for themselves often find the process confusing. The children are learning one set of questions and answers, and the parents are learning another completely different set. So New City Catechism is a joint adult and children's catechism

Such instruction, one old writer said, is like firewood in a fireplace. Without the fire---the Spirit of God---firewood will not in itself produce a warming flame. But without fuel there can be no fire either, and that is what catechetical instruction provides.

Today, the students at Jerry Falwell's school are more likely to 'change the world' by buying a pair of TOMS Shoes than showing up at the state capitol. Could their soft activism signal a larger shift among evangelicals?

Currently, there about 80 full-time chaplains serving the federal prison system; all are Christian except for one Muslim. There are about 100 part-time chaplains, 20 of them non-Christian, according to CBC News. The total cost of the chaplaincy program is about $6.4 million a year. It’s not clear how much will be saved by the... Continue Reading

O’Brien chose the name New Puritan Press to indicate that he intends to make the Puritans accessible to 21st century Christians.  “I was,” he says, “acutely aware of how difficult it is for most lay people and even pastors to read the Puritans.  My wife and I determined that I should take my long familiarity... Continue Reading