Church Life
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Sometimes we may get asked about our excitement for Sunday. Sometimes I get asked about why I am excited for Sunday above other days, or excited for the Church on a Sunday when the other days are just as important. Others days are important. But the Lord’s Day is simply a highlight and Chittister’s quote… Read more
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The First Things article I referred to in my last post continues to challenge me. I may not have the role of a “wider theologian”, but I feel I must be the best theologian possible for my congregation. I don’t want to live in the realm of pragmatics or just practics. Yet, pastoral theology has… Read more
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Ross Douthat has a marvelous column on the Christmas season and how Christianity is “doing.” Obviously, we are full of angst. That’s our main theme these days, it seems. The column is a good one and I am kind of setting this post as a “marker” to come back to when I have time. One… Read more
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I am working through the passage in Isa. 2:1-5 for Sunday. I don’t expect much in the way of response on Thanksgiving weekend, but I have this thought: If we would dare, as believers, to really step up and HOPE, how would we do it? For instance, in keeping with the Christmas season, could we… Read more
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I was asked this question early this morning by a fellow pastor who REALLY loves pastoring. The Lord has done so much in my life through ministry, especially in the past three years, I find myself full of gratefulness. This past month alone gives me SO MUCH for which to give thanks! I am blown… Read more
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Christ loves his Church. It’s his body. Sometimes we think too little of the Body of Christ. We get critical of the Church, not thinking when we do so that we can run the risk of offending Christ himself. It’s not to say we don’t point out difficulties. It IS to say we pound on… Read more
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It shows how much I don’t know… and I readily admit it. But there is something that is becoming evident to me: I want to be more confessional in my Pentecostal roots and beliefs. I want to be more “credal.” Is that a word? I just got a spell-check squiggly… (This isn’t going to be… Read more
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A megachurch pastor! Or a men’s ministries pastor in a megachurch! Or a women’s ministries pastor in a megachurch! Those salaries aren’t bad: $139,000 Median salary for senior pastors at megachurches (2,000+ in weekly attendance). $60,000 Median salary for men’s ministry pastors at megachurches. $47,000 Median salary for women’s ministry pastors at megachurches. More good… Read more
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This New York Times piece gives bragging rights to atheists, who know more about religion than religious people. If the link to the survey works in the Times piece, give it a try. And in other news, a new book out says we may be able to have a better view of ourselves as Christians… Read more
Apprentice 2 Jesus 