I remember the Seeker sensitive movement with the church of the 1990’s. The thought was to make church more accessible for those not yet a part of a faith community, but seeking connection with God. Therefore the prevailing action was to remove the vestiges of Christianity, the cross, theological/religious language, hymns and organs and move …
A few years before Covid-19 stopped the world, a preacher named Lon Solomon did a sermon series called “So What?” Now, I don’t know much about his ministry or about his theological and political leanings, but I thought his question and how he presented the series by answering questions of faith were powerful. So what? …
Read more “Launch Out Into the Deep: Preaching During a Pandemic”
The mainline church is in decline!! Perhaps I am stating the obvious. Those of us in the “church world” know this all too well and the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t helped. Yet, let me be clear, COVID-19 did not cause the challenges and decline we are facing. I believe the pandemic merely revealed and in some …
When I moved back to Maryland after living in South Carolina, I moved to a predominately white suburb. I landed there because I stayed in hotel near the city the prior Thanksgiving, and my GPS directed me through the town and by a new development. When I saw it, I purposed to live there when …
So what exactly is a mission shaped church? Let’s start by looking in the mirror and answering the question, “What shapes your church?” I believe every single church is shaped by something. Some churches are shaped by worship, others by a particular ministry and unfortunately some are shaped by the preferences of your current members. …
In a world of YouTube, Instagram Stories, Facebook Reels, Tik Tok and Podcasts, why would we start a blog? Why the written word in a time when people are digesting information visually and auditorily? These are great questions. Both Lauren and I (Bill) still believe in the power of the written word and want to …