This blog will be the last in what became a weekly series of 128 blogs. I have run out of productive things to say. My emphasis from the beginning was to understand the decline of traditional mainline congregations with our distinguished histories. The underlying question is how to turn this trend around. Answers are to […]
Read MoreThe local Moody radio station at one point dropped broadcasts of the Lutheran Hour, a long-time radio ministry. It was a first-class communication problem. Lutheran preachers of recent generations tend to emphasize Baptism as key to salvation. Many Evangelicals reject the notion that sprinkling water on a baby could have anything to do with the […]
Read MoreRecently a member of the church posed a classic question. A relative was ill and she wanted her brother to join the rest in praying for healing. He did not see what good that would do because God already had an outcome in mind. Did I know how to persuade him to join in […]
Read MoreAmerica has approximately 180 denominations. Each was forged out of controversy at some point in its history. Each called on the Bible to mark out its position in the dispute that set them apart. So, which is the true interpretation? One easy response to this confusion is to refuse to choose. This is happening among […]
Read MoreAccording to the World Almanac, there are 168 Christian denominations in 13 major groupings in the United States. There is no way to get a total on how many church networks there are in this country. No association of non-denominational community churches exists that could tally their numbers. The best I can do is a […]
Read MoreI Like Sermons Make you think of your own personal life relating to what God would want us to be like in our daily walk with Him. Not a guilt trip, but encouragement. We need to hear the Law, but the Gospel as well! Attraction to a Congregation The main attraction is music in […]
Read MoreThe Most Engaging Part(s) of Worship I love “spontaneous” worship, Spontaneous worship can happen at the end of a worship set, in between songs, or even in the middle of a song. In the moment, it really lets you focus on your worship to God and feeling the Holy Spirit’s presence around you. I Like […]
Read MoreAs we leave 2020 behind, I thought I would share my most popular blogs of the year that engaged most readers like you. I’m often told they are encouraging and help readers. I hope they help you! Ministering to Those in Same-Sex Relationships Keep Your Sermon Simple and to the Point; Don’t Forget the Gospel […]
Read MoreI’ve reached 3 BIG milestones in 2021! Milestone #1: I hit 100 blogs! Over the span of two years, I have sent out over 100 weekly blogs. My open rates range from 25-50% each week! I have had over 1,200 comments on my website alone related to the blogs and well over a thousand on social media. My […]
Read MoreOne of the popular books in my seminary days was The Secular City, in which Harvey Cox tried to work out a theology for the “post-religious” age that many sociologists had confidently assured was coming. Since then, he says some religions seem to have gained a new lease on life. Today it is secularity, not […]
Read MoreAny biblically responsible pastor and church leader has to cringe at the second part of Paul’s statement about the purpose of church leaders in Ephesians 4: 12-13. The first part of his challenge is to “prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” But I am […]
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