Category Archives: Church

Jonathan Aigner — Farewell, Willow Creek: Where the “Regular” Churches Can Go From Here

Farewell, Willow Creek: Where the “Regular” Churches Can Go From Here by Jonathan Aigner It looks like the beginning of the end at Willow Creek. They aren’t saying that, but I feel like that’s what’s happening. If so, good riddance. And you can take the megachurch movement you spawned with you. I’m sorry if IContinue reading “Jonathan Aigner — Farewell, Willow Creek: Where the “Regular” Churches Can Go From Here”

Monday with Michael Spencer: Some thoughts about the institution

If you look at the church throughout time, cultures and history, I believe you will conclude there are three aspects to the church. (Consider this semi-original with me.) The church is a movement started by Jesus; a culture crossing, church planting movement that proclaims the Gospel in the power of the Spirit. This movement takesContinue reading “Monday with Michael Spencer: Some thoughts about the institution”

Brueggemann: On taking a route other than our zeal or certitude

Note from CM: Friends, I thought this a good follow-up to yesterday’s discussion about my “both/and” perspective on things. • • • Not many of us need advice about what to do with our life. Not many of us want such advice either. We may not agree on what to do, but most of usContinue reading “Brueggemann: On taking a route other than our zeal or certitude”

Hauerwas on Individualism

Here’s an intriguing passage from an article I’ve posted on the bulletin board about theologian Stanley Hauerwas. “No task is more important than for the Church to take the Bible out of the hands of individual Christians in North America.” Perhaps the only surer way to enrage an American Christian than threatening to take theContinue reading “Hauerwas on Individualism”

Freedom from the family for the family

There’s a nice article at Christianity Today challenging the prevalent, ongoing “focus on the family” mentality of the American church. In it, Rebecca McLaughlin gives five reasons “Why I Don’t Sit with My Husband at Church” on Sunday mornings. There’s one big reason: McLaughlin believes that congregations must be more open to showing hospitality toContinue reading “Freedom from the family for the family”

J. Michael Jones: A Tumultuous Relationship with the Bride

A Tumultuous Relationship with the Bride By J. Michael Jones An Inherent Church I was born into a family that attended a Southern Baptist church, deep within the hollows of Appalachia.  While I’m sure there are a broad spectrum of Baptist church experiences, mine must have been on the shady end, or at least oneContinue reading “J. Michael Jones: A Tumultuous Relationship with the Bride”

Gray Church: Another Ecclesiastical Dream

Note from CM: I was going to write a post today expressing another dream I have for the church: that in our youth-focused American culture our churches might find ways to help people in the second-half of life understand what spiritual formation and a Jesus-shaped life mean for them. I think the traditional churches doContinue reading “Gray Church: Another Ecclesiastical Dream”

What If? – A Few Dreams for Today’s Church

What if? What if churches and Christian organizations had a vision to be “countercultural” in truly meaningful ways? What if we woke up and realized that all our talk about “changing the culture” is empty because we are just as culture-bound as anyone? What if we realized that ideas don’t matter as much as weContinue reading “What If? – A Few Dreams for Today’s Church”

Fridays with Michael Spencer: September 30, 2016

Note from CM: Michael’s most well known articles were called “The Coming Evangelical Collapse.” I thought it would be good to re-post a few excerpts from these three pieces in light of the other discussions we’ve had this week. • • • Party Almost Over The party is almost over for evangelicals; a party that’sContinue reading “Fridays with Michael Spencer: September 30, 2016”