I want to see all churches become as healthy and vigorous as possible–especially African American churches. The Lord has given me something of Paul’s longing for his “kinsmen according to the flesh” (Rom. 9:3, ESV). I want to see African Americans brought into God’s kingdom in as great a number as possible. For that to... Continue Reading

The Most Rev Justin Welby has invited the heads of all the other Anglican churches – some of whom have not spoken directly to each other for more than a decade amid a deep liberal-conservative split – to a make-or-break meeting in Canterbury in January. He wants them not only to acknowledge the rift but... Continue Reading

“I felt sorry to the 400 some fellow churches and colleague pastors who remain in the denomination,” Lee added. “In some ways, our decision to leave the denomination was an easy one. I think the other Korean churches that decided to stay in the denomination and bring reformation from within made a more difficult and... Continue Reading

While Catholicism presents a “linear” framework in which the Christian journeys in progress toward holiness, Lutheranism posits a “dialectic” one which precludes any self-perfecting tendencies. In this view, “Christians make no progress in righteousness; they simply return time and again to the word that announces pardon, a word that invites and elicits faith.”    As... Continue Reading

“I’ve seen what church can be. It can be the poor helping the poor, Jesus serving his own; the lonely opening up their doors to one another, praise and worship in the midst of sorrow. A shelter for the orphan and widow.”   The rain is like hundreds of bare feet on the roof of our tent trailer... Continue Reading

He announced the tribunal formed to investigate the conduct of the priests had established some of the accused had been having sexual relations with fellow priests and members of their congregations for a long time. Kagunda said the church would withdraw the priests’ licenses but would not report the cases to the police, in spite of homosexuality... Continue Reading

This issue has been framed poorly: It’s not about old vs. new. It’s not about old vs. young (especially these days). It’s not about taste. It’s not about what kind of music God likes more. It’s not really about music. It’s about the very purpose of gathered worship. It’s about unity, not choice. It’s about... Continue Reading

I’ve been involved in ecumenical works for almost thirty years, and am all for divided Christians growing closer to each other, but my heart leaps a bit when I come across a Protestant writer saying “We’re right and they’re wrong.” It may feel like a bucket of ice water thrown on a group hug, but... Continue Reading

The reason, however, is probably not polity. It is far more likely that the problem lies within our hearts. Maybe we do have one of those polities which, to expropriate Adams’ words, is “better fitted for being well administered than others.” Very well, but let us heed Pope also, and administer it well and faithfully.   It... Continue Reading

This is one of the most encouraging verses in the Bible for faithful ministers laboring in obscurity and anonymity. God does not reward based upon comparisons with other ministers. He does not reward according to talents, gifts, or results. He rewards each pastor “according to his own labor.” God is looking at the hours, the... Continue Reading