Category Archives: Church

Rachel Hackenberg on Three Types of Churches

On her blog, Faith and Water, Rachel G. Hackenberg has offered an interesting perspective on how to look at the way different churches function: I am increasingly convinced that there are three kinds of churches — three prevailing characters of congregations, carrying implicit theological underpinnings — and that these three church types exist across denominations,Continue reading “Rachel Hackenberg on Three Types of Churches”

Lillian Daniel: Every Spiritual Home (a Riff)

Excerpt from the chapter, “Every Spiritual Home” From: When “Spiritual but Not Religious” Is Not Enough: Seeing God in Surprising Places, Even the Church by Lillian Daniel Jericho Books, 2013 * * * These days, very few people who join our church were raised in the denomination or tradition we are a part of, and we areContinue reading “Lillian Daniel: Every Spiritual Home (a Riff)”

Marcus Felde: Alfa Church? Bravo Church? Charlie Church!

NOTE: The first time I met with the pastor with whom I’m working now, he shared some thoughts that I found extraordinarily wise and helpful. I asked if he would consider putting them in post form so I could share them with you, and he graciously agreed. Rev. Marcus Felde is the pastor of BethlehemContinue reading “Marcus Felde: Alfa Church? Bravo Church? Charlie Church!”

Is Jeff Cook on to something here?

I read a thoroughly thought-provoking post by Jeff Cook over at Jesus Creed today. He suggests (though he is not yet at the point of conviction about this) that the inclusion of Gentiles and the way that happened in the early church might provide guidance for the Church today with regard to our homosexual sistersContinue reading “Is Jeff Cook on to something here?”

Another Look: Is This a Church?

An excerpt from a post by Chaplain Mike, February 2011 My take on what has happened over the course of the last forty years is as follows. In evangelicalism in particular, we have raised a whole generation of Christians who were discipled not so much by traditional local churches as by parachurch ministries and churches that haveContinue reading “Another Look: Is This a Church?”

A Companion in Shipwreck

The following is from a remarkable piece by Rod Dreher called, “Ecumenism And Life’s Shipwreck” at The American Conservative. In it he writes about how the Roman Catholic sex scandal “broke [his] spiritual and intellectual pride as a Christian.” The passage reproduced here today quotes Tolkien on the subject of having a “chivalrous” view ofContinue reading “A Companion in Shipwreck”

Church Renewal Remix

In the light of Jeff’s passionate post yesterday, let’s take a look at what someone else is saying about the future of the American church (with a focus on Protestant groups). Over at sowhatfaith.com, the blog of Greg Smith, there is a ten-part series called “The Future Church (v. 2020) – 10 Shifts.”  Smith describesContinue reading “Church Renewal Remix”

“The Church’s Richest Jewels”

In 1539, late in his career, Martin Luther wrote “On the Councils and the Church.” One avenue for reformation that Luther and others had regularly called for was a church council. Over the course of time, however, Luther became disillusioned that a “free, Christian council” could be convened that would properly reform the church andContinue reading ““The Church’s Richest Jewels””

Thom Rainer on Megachurch Trends

The churches in the U.S. that get the most public attention are the megachurches. Dr. Thom Rainer, the president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources (SBC), is a leader in a denomination that has always put the spotlight on large and growing congregations. In a recent article, Rainer listed seven trends he sees in megachurchesContinue reading “Thom Rainer on Megachurch Trends”