By Chaplain Mike Note from CM: This article was originally posted on Dec. 2, 2009. As we prepare to mark Advent and Christmas again this year, I thought we might revisit it and discuss how our churches approach special seasons. When I ministered in suburban evangelical churches (nine years in one as worship pastor), thereContinue reading “Another Look: Evangelicalism and Special Seasons”
Category Archives: Church
Church Year Spirituality: Faith of Our Family
By Chaplain Mike When I was a pastor in local non-denominational congregations, I found it difficult to maintain a sense of cohesion and togetherness within the church’s program. Each church, of course, had its own traditions, and they created a certain level of family identity and oneness. But I’m talking about something deeper than whenContinue reading “Church Year Spirituality: Faith of Our Family”
Guest Post: A Woman in Ministry
MOD NOTE: Angie merely summarized her position on women in ministry in this post. If you want to see a full expression of my Biblical position on egalitarianism, read “Why I Am an Egalitarian,” which I wrote in Sept. This will enable you to see the relevant Biblical texts without having to rehash them allContinue reading “Guest Post: A Woman in Ministry”
Preparing to Honor the Saints
By Chaplain Mike In some traditions, All Saints’ Day was celebrated on Nov. 1, while others will honor the saints this coming Sunday, the first in November. All Saints’ may be compared to American national holidays like Veterans Day or Memorial Day. On it we remember and honor the lives, faithfulness, deeds, teachings, and martyrdomsContinue reading “Preparing to Honor the Saints”
Ecclesiastical Dreamin’
By Chaplain Mike Stopped into a church I passed along the way. Well, I got down on my knees And I pretend to pray. You know the preacher likes the cold. He knows I’m gonna stay California dreamin’ on such a winter’s day. It’s not winter yet, but earlier today I wrote about how theContinue reading “Ecclesiastical Dreamin’”
I have to admit: I don’t get it
By Chaplain Mike This is all kind of off the top of my head, so take it for what it is — an impromptu rant. OK, this may seem like a weird thing to talk about, but I’m going to anyway. I’m sure most people don’t even think about it; the status quo is simplyContinue reading “I have to admit: I don’t get it”
iMonk Classic: Three Days among the Mainlines
Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer Originally posted Feb 21, 2008 Unless you’ve been brought up in the insular confines of fundamentalism, it’s going to be hard to understand what it’s been like for me spending three days with “the other kind†of Christians this week. “The other kind†in this instance are mainline protestants,Continue reading “iMonk Classic: Three Days among the Mainlines”
It Is Happening
By Chaplain Mike Although the church of Jesus Christ is found in many different places, she is one true church, not many. After all, there are many rays of sunlight, but only one sun. A tree has many boughs, each slightly different from others, but all drawing their strength from one source. Many streams mayContinue reading “It Is Happening”
A Letter to the North American Church
By Chaplain Mike In the tradition of Jesus’ seven letters to the churches in Revelation, a group called Epiphaneia Network has challenged writers to present a “letter” or communication of some sort to the North American Church, expressing God’s desires and concerns. They call this the “Eighth Letter” project. On Oct. 1-2 in Toronto, submissionsContinue reading “A Letter to the North American Church”
“Wish Dream” Community
By Chaplain Mike The restoration of the church must surely depend on a new kind of monasticism, which has nothing in common with the old but a life of uncompromising discipleship, following Christ according to the Sermon on the Mount. I believe the time has come to gather people together and do this. – DietrichContinue reading ““Wish Dream” Community”
The Internet Monk Archives 