Our student ministry leaves for our annual Fall Retreat this week. I look forward to this weekend every year. It is a weekend filled with fun and community, creation and spiritual renewal. But not everything that happens IN this weekend happens ON this weekend. Some of the most important elements of the retreat will actually happen before the weekend. Preparation is key. We … [Read more...] about Three Simple Ways to Prepare for a Retreat
Big Church, Little Church
I've had a question in my head lately. What is the difference between a healthy large church and a healthy small church? If all things were relatively equal, what would be the difference? Do we lose anything or gain anything as we move from one size to the other? So far, I have thought of two major distinctions. When we move from a small church to a large church, two … [Read more...] about Big Church, Little Church
Soul Summons
The soul must be summoned. The soul must be sought; it must be stalked. The Psalmists time and again call forth the soul, wakening it, stirring it, addressing it. "Why are you cast down, O my soul..." (Psalm 42:5)"Why are you cast down, O my soul..." (Psalm 43:5)"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence..." (Psalm 62:5)"Bless the Lord, O my soul..." (Psalm … [Read more...] about Soul Summons
The Gift of Disappointment
Sometimes God uses disappointment to grant us freedom. Disappointment with a relationship, disappointment with an institution, disappointment with a product...each disappointment has a redemptive purpose. Disappointment wakes us.Disappointment reveals idolatry.Disappointment reminds us of finitude.Disappointment redirects our faith back to God. May we all thank God for … [Read more...] about The Gift of Disappointment
The Jesus’ Wife Fragment – What It Actually Says
Causing much stir this week has been the discovery of The Gospel of Jesus' Wife, which is probably a sensational title. But let's cut through the hype. I want my information straight from the horse's mouth. So what does the fragment actually say? Daniel B. Wallace, New Testament scholar and manuscript expert, obliges us. (Notice the brackets indicate the holes or cut-offs … [Read more...] about The Jesus’ Wife Fragment – What It Actually Says