Category Archives: Index

Galatians: Introduction for Teachers Only

This summer, June – August 2012, we’re studying Galatians in the adult Bible classes, the college class, and in the high school class. It’s part of the multi-generational strategy we adopted last year. We’re going to mix up the teaching method … Continue reading

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The Church and Politics: Responding to Gay Marriage Proposals

I’ve been working on a new series on faith and works (no surprise to those who got the “Oops” post, I know). And so I’ve not really had much time to ponder the profundities of President Obama’s decision to support … Continue reading

Posted in Church & Politics, Uncategorized | 160 Comments

Community Disciplines: Bonhoeffer’s Life Together, Part 7

In other words, a life together under the Word will stay healthy only when it does not form itself into a movement, an order, a society, a collegium pietatis, but instead understands itself as being part of the one, holy, … Continue reading

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Acts 8:1-17 (Persecution breaks out; Samaritans converted)

(Act 8:1-3 ESV) And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.  2 Devout … Continue reading

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Acts 8:18-19 (How we’re forgiven)

(Act 8:18-19 ESV)  18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,  19 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my … Continue reading

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Community Disciplines: Bonhoeffer’s Life Together, Part 6

Christian community is not an ideal we have to realize, but rather a reality created by God in Christ in which we may participate. The more clearly we learn to recognize that the ground and strength and promise of all … Continue reading

Posted in Bonhoeffer's Life Together, Christian Disciplines, Uncategorized | 9 Comments

Churches of Christ: Christian Chronicle reports slow growth by the independent Christian Churches

The Christian Chronicle has just posted an article criticizing the notion that the independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ* have been enjoying “phenomenal” growth.

Posted in Churches of Christ in Decline, Uncategorized | 37 Comments

Church Leadership: Signs of an Inwardly Focused Church

This is from a blog post by church growth consultant Thom Rainer (and there are further, excellent thoughts at the blog itself) — * Worship wars. * Prolonged minutia meetings. * Facility focus. * Program driven.

Posted in Leadership, Uncategorized | 11 Comments

Community Disciplines: Bonhoeffer’s Life Together, Part 5

If we do not give thanks daily for the Christian community in which we have been placed, even when there are no great experiences, no noticeable riches, but much weakness, difficulty, and little faith—and if, on the contrary, we only … Continue reading

Posted in Bonhoeffer's Life Together, Christian Disciplines, Uncategorized | 33 Comments

Acts 7 (Stephen’s speech and martyrdom)

(Act 7:1 ESV) And the high priest said, “Are these things so?” Nearly all of Acts 7 is taken up with Stephen’s recitation of the history of the Jews. It’s a strange way to defend yourself from blasphemy! Why did … Continue reading

Posted in Acts, Acts, Uncategorized | 14 Comments