Holy Week, for members of the Christian faith, is the last week of the season of Lent before the celebrations of Easter Sunday, running from Palm Sunday to Holy Saturday. It is a time to commemorate, reflect upon, and reenact, specifically, the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, though many liturgies expand that practice to include his entire ministry. Continue reading
Christianity Declining in America, Booming in China
Recently, I’ve read some research about Christianity declining in America. And this morning two contrasting headlines caught my attention. One noted the rapid increase of skepticism towards the Bible in the west:
A new study from the Barna Group reveals that for the first time, Americans who read the Bible enthusiastically and those who are skeptical are equal in number. Continue reading
Best Baseball Movies of All Time
It’s spring and baseball season is here again!
Major League Baseball is in full swing. My son is having a breakout Little League season (I’m looking into restructuring his contract), and we have a mission team preparing to lead a gospel-centered baseball camp in Germany this summer.
All this means I have to update my list of the best baseball movies of all time and some memorable quotes from them. So here we go… Continue reading
Religion vs Christianity: Who Is Doing the Building?
Religion vs Christianity
In 1 Chronicles 17, the chapter starts out with David ambitious about building a house for God and the ark of the covenant.
But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: It is not you who will build me a house to dwell in…’” (1 Chronicles 17:3-4 ESV)
Then at the end of the chapter, we hear David say:
For you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. Therefore your servant has found courage to pray before you. (1 Chronicles 17:25 ESV)
The difference between religion and Christianity comes down to who is doing the building. Continue reading
Millennials and Church Attendance: Only 20% Think It’s Important
Millennials and Church Attendance
A study released this week showed that Millennials (those 30 and under) stand out as least likely to value church attendance; only two in 10 believe it is important. And more than one-third of Millennial young adults (35%) take an anti-church stance.
The study overall found that although church involvement was once a cornerstone of American life, U.S. adults today are evenly divided on the importance of attending church. Half (49 percent) say it is “somewhat” or “very” important and the other 51 percent say it is “not too” or “not at all” important. Continue reading
Leadership Lessons: What You Miss If You Quit
Leadership Lessons: Nehemiah, The Game Changer
Brad Powell, the senior pastor of NorthRidge Church in Plymouth, Mich., was asked this question by Outreach Magazine: It seems that a lot of people who once chose to give their lives to vocational ministry are now choosing to leave it. What do you see as the problem? Continue reading
Synergy Missions Solutions Network | Missional Monday
Synergy Missions Solutions Network
For the last couple of years, I’ve had the opportunity to serve on the board of directors for Synergy Missions Solutions Network. SMSN is a network of cooperating churches that are in cross-culture, church-to-church partnerships together for the purpose of mobilizing communities for mission.
The Synergy Missions foundation of church-to-church partnerships combined with the exclusive “5 Wave” process provides missions solutions for local churches and disciple-making movements. This is combined with the foundational philosophy that the network exists to sacrificially serve churches in order to support each church’s goal for mobilization. Continue reading