By Chaplain Mike OK, it’s happened again. Over the past few weeks I’ve had at least half a dozen patients tell me that their pastor has not visited them and that the church has dropped the ball when it comes to keeping in touch with them during their illnesses (in these cases, terminal illnesses). What’sContinue reading “Open Mic: Pastoral Care in Today’s Church”
Category Archives: Church
A Black and White Concern
By Chaplain Mike It is my hope that our conversation here at IM will include perspectives from as many cultures and traditions of the Christian faith as possible. One privilege a hospice chaplain has is to become acquainted with people from various backgrounds and experiences. For example, I have thoroughly enjoyed befriending, serving, and spendingContinue reading “A Black and White Concern”
Thoughts about Women in Ministry
A recent iMonk Classic mentioned the issue of women in ministry. I thought I’d take it up. Armor? Check. Shield, gas mask, safety glasses, earplugs? Check. Here goes. First of all, I won’t say anything about Bible passages dealing with women’s roles in the church. Everyone who cares about the issues knows them, and yetContinue reading “Thoughts about Women in Ministry”
The Archbishop Strikes Back
By Chaplain Mike Maybe there is some fight left in the Anglican Church after all. At Pentecost, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, sent a letter to the Anglican Communion encouraging a renewed focus on mission, and suggesting discipline for elements of the church that fail to abide by requests to avoid controversial decisionsContinue reading “The Archbishop Strikes Back”
Update: Easter Morning…for Ted
By Chaplain Mike WARNING: As you read this update, the sound you will hear is the voice of cynicism. With a bit of sarcasm thrown in. As well as a healthy dose of antipathy. If I didn’t think the evidence deserves this kind of response, I would stay quiet. But this is bad news, aContinue reading “Update: Easter Morning…for Ted”
The Comeback Kid?
By Chaplain Mike Americans love a comeback story. Don’t we? And Christians believe in the God of second (and third and fourth…etc.) chances. Don’t we? Yesterday in Saturday Ramblings, Jeff noted and commented on Ted Haggard’s return to ministry. Ted Haggard’s “surprise announcement†was anything but a surprise. He is planning to launch a newContinue reading “The Comeback Kid?”
IM Book Review: The “Radical” Approach: Missio Dei, or Wretched Urgency?
By Chaplain Mike I both loved and was troubled by David Platt’s bold, clear book, Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream. It’s an impressive first effort, but I have my concerns. For starters, the author must be deemed a prodigy. I mean, the guy was in his mid-20’s when he was calledContinue reading “IM Book Review: The “Radical” Approach: Missio Dei, or Wretched Urgency?”
Let Them Eat Cake!
As part of our continuing examination of issues in evangelicalism, today we present this interview with a renowned business leader. William Sola oversees franchises all across our country and around the world. * * * Reporter: Hello, today I’m with William Sola, great, great, great grandson of Jack Sola, founder of the Sola Bakery Company.Continue reading “Let Them Eat Cake!”
Church as “Strong Family”?
By Chaplain Mike May’s Christianity Today includes a thought-provoking article by Joseph H. Hellerman, entitled, “A Family Affair: What would happen if we put we before me?” Hellerman is professor of NT at Talbot School of Theology. He is the author of When the Church Was a Family: Recapturing Jesus’ Vision for Authentic Christian Community.Continue reading “Church as “Strong Family”?”
My Issues with Evangelicalism: (3) Mission
By Chaplain Mike Note: When I originally ran this series on another blog, I introduced the “Mission” issue by telling the story “Who Is My Neighbor?” which was posted on IM January 20, 2010. You can read that post here. ROSES AND LILIES CHRISTIANITY This year, we held a series of Lenten services at ourContinue reading “My Issues with Evangelicalism: (3) Mission”
The Internet Monk Archives 