We … and Our Fathers Have Sinned (Daniel 9:8)
As one who grew up in the Southern Presbyterian Church, I must confess my own as well as my people’s sins.
I have also learned these lessons from my elders in Augusta. They have taught me how important public confession of past sins—especially by a majority—is to racial reconciliation. What may feel to us to be something small, something that does not cost very much, communicates integrity and a desire for genuine relationship. As we as... Continue Reading
Can We Really Know Our Pastors?
People want to believe the best about their pastors, and without always knowing what they’re doing, refuse to see what’s going on right under their noses
“I certainly agree that the megachurch model is pastorally problematic, but that doesn’t seem to me to be a plausible reason to explain Tchividjian’s fall. Or rather, to clarify, I don’t think that a small church would solve the problem. Sure, you will be able to “know” your pastor, in the sense of being on... Continue Reading
Marriage Canon Changes at GC2015 Could Seal Fate of Anglican Communion
If Episcopal delegates to General Convention pass two marriage resolutions in Salt Lake City later this month, it could seal the fate of any hope that the Anglican Communion can hold together
If the Church should consider committed same-sex relationships blessed by God, should it do so as a part of the practice of Christian marriage that we have not yet recognized, or rather as an analogous yet distinct good that we have not yet named? The answer is NO on both counts. Same-sex relationships have never... Continue Reading
Episcopal Church Elects Michael Curry First Black Presiding Bishop
On Saturday, during a private meeting at St. Mark’s Cathedral in downtown Salt Lake City, bishops elected Bishop Michael Curry as the first African-American presiding bishop.
Curry, 62, spent 12 years as rector of St. James Church in Baltimore before his election as bishop of the N.C. Diocese. He and his wife, Sharon, have two grown daughters, Rachel and Elizabeth. He will succeed Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, the faith’s first female presiding bishop, who completes her nine-year term Nov. 1. ... Continue Reading
The SCOTUS Decision on Marriage: Will It Change Our Ministry?
One church asks: Will anything change in our church’s ministry as a result of the Supreme Court decision on marriage? Answer: No.
Since this is such an important ruling from the Supreme Court, what should our church do differently? Nothing. We at EPC need no new strategy to minister in this cultural context. We will continue to be the people that God has already been shaping us to be: We will continue to be a church that preaches the... Continue Reading
An Appeal to Elders
When a pastor falls, there but for the grace of God goes every other Christian
“Whenever a pastor falls, one has to ask: Where were the elders? Sometimes, of course, the pastor can be good at hiding his faults; At other times, elders just turn a blind eye to peccadilloes, assuming that the pastor is a good chap and could not possibly be heading in a spiritually lethal direction.” ... Continue Reading
How To Protect Your Church Against Sexual Orientation And Gender Identity Lawsuits
Since the Supreme Court has legalized same-sex marriage nationwide Christian churches, ministries, and schools will face serious legal challenges within very short order.
The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) has teamed up with Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) to produce an updated version of a resource designed to help ministries do just that—prepare. This resource is a 44-page booklet titled “Protecting Your Ministry from Sexual Orientation Gender Identity Lawsuits.” It’s a legal guide explaining how churches, Christian schools,... Continue Reading
Reflections from an AME Prayer Vigil
I mainly wish to express my profound gratitude to the loving Christians of Allen Temple AME church who so graciously and enthusiastically welcomed us
The glorious reminder that our sovereign God brings good out of evil and extends special grace in the presence of spiritual darkness. There was nothing good about the savage murders that took place in that Bible study and prayer meeting in Charleston. But how wonderful that our gracious Lord brings marvelous good even out of... Continue Reading
Anatomy of a Sick Church – 10 Symptoms to Watch
While there are many potential symptoms of a sick church, I have found ten to be consistently common.
Decline in frequency of attendance of church members. This symptom is the number one explanation for attendance decline in most churches. Members are not as committed as they once were. Their waning love for their church is reflected in their declining frequency in worship attendance. There are certain metrics and issues physicians check when... Continue Reading
How To Be a Progressive, Affirming, Accepting, Welcoming and BIBLICAL Church
We don't affirm people in their sin. We affirm them in their being made in the image of God
“Don’t get me wrong – I am sure that there are churches and professing Christians whose attitude and behaviour towards homosexuals is something they need to repent of, but I am getting tired of every Bible believing Christian being tarred with the same homophobic brush, when the evidence often suggests otherwise.” My church, St... Continue Reading
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