Jul 28, 2019 |
“Our Soldiers have been deployed for 15 months in Afghanistan. Now that they’re back, some are having trouble reintegrating into family life. Let’s come up with something we can do to help.” That was the “front line” challenge given to me when I arrived at U.S. Army...
Jul 21, 2019 |
Old Stone Church in Cleveland, Ohio has been meeting on Public Square in the heart of downtown Cleveland since 1820. Incorporated as the First Presbyterian Society in 1827, its first permanent building was dedicated in 1834. The church has maintained its place as “a...
Jul 14, 2019 |
Many congregations today find themselves questioning their purpose. With Christianity on the decline in the global north, the obvious question of most churches is, “How will we survive?” A deeper question that surfaces is, “What is our mission?” Congregations that ask...
Jul 7, 2019 |
Anxiety creeps up my neck. I’m in a last minute dash—fidgeting with uncooperative AV equipment before the start of Bible study. Do I have time to run off hard copies for the group? I silently pray as the chairs fill up. I glance at my watch. I’m teaching a five-week...
Jun 30, 2019 |
Ministry with Youth in an Affluent Community Birmingham, Michigan. If you have lived anywhere near this area, you know that the stereotype of our population is well established. Recently someone in the area created a meme that linked the leading characters of “The...
Jun 23, 2019 |
Why a House Church? “Whose turn is it this week?” “I can host.” “Okay, we will meet up at 6 p.m. See you then.” Every Friday night, a group of ten adults and eight children and two soon-to-be borns gather. This group, our house church, is like a family. We cook...
Jun 18, 2019 |
There are almost as many contexts for ministry as there are congregations. This series will explore just a few of those places where a particular context is driving innovative approaches to educational ministry. Readers will be challenged to examine their own...
Jun 2, 2019 |
People, followers of Jesus the Christ, Excited by his resurrection, Nurtured by his ministry on earth, Together they waited in Jerusalem. Every day wondering and praying, “Come, Advocate, Companion, Spirit of Truth.” On the fiftieth day, the rush of a mighty wind...
May 26, 2019 |
Congregations need to move past the old paradigm that the church is solely responsible for developing faith formation. Instead the church should be a mentor and someone to walk alongside parents as they develop faith formation in their own children. This is what 21st...
May 19, 2019 |
The Difficult Times of Children: The Church’s Role When Lives Are Troubled by Rebecca Davis The ideal of childhood is characterized by the poet Francis Thompson writing on Shelley: Know you what it is to be a child? It is to be something very different from the...
