Apprentice 2 Jesus

Church

  • Sacramental Witness

    Being able to speak at a party convention or say a prayer for a party convention or giving a national address on behalf of a political party is intoxicating. And we need to get sober. Read more

  • Unique

    I am currently working my way through Exploring Ecclesiology by Harper and Metzger. My mind has been challenged over the past months on the subject of the Church. This book is helping in my thought processes. One quote stands out from my current reading: “The church that is obsessed with constantly reinventing itself through ever-newer… Read more

  • Engaging the Culture

    I have posted a couple of times on an interview with James Davison Hunter in Christianity Today. Hunter’s take on our political activity is critical, and I agree. Yet, he raised the hackles of Chuck Colson, another man I deeply admire. Colson’s critique was a bit too critical, in my view. He felt Hunter’s position meant… Read more

  • Faithful Presence and Faithful Activism

    I wrote some comments on a Christianity Today interview I read. Then, I saw a response from Chuck Colson. Colson is a hero of mine, so I appreciate his thoughts on this subject as well. He disagrees with the premise, of course. So, we read, evaluate, and hopefully reach some good conclusions of our own.… Read more

  • What Role DOES the Church Play?

    I find it so incredibly interesting that when a thought comes through my mind and I begin to work it over, I find an article that seems to speak directly to it. Just the other day there was this thought: “What role DOES the Church play in this world? Are we really better off looking… Read more

  • Why “Relevant” Churches Aren’t Liturgical

    “Sunday’s Coming” Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo. Repeat after me: “We are not liturgical and dead. We are alive and relevant.” Read more

  • Quick Hits

    There are moments of refreshing. Times when you are thankful for God’s grace in that moment. There are moments when it is grace. You think, “Did someone take a break from bashing another person or organization? What got into them?” But it can happen. Kristof and the NY Times took a break from bashing the… Read more

  • Eternal Optimism

    David Brooks in this New York Times column unleashes some incredible optimism. It was overwhelming. To have such an optimistic piece after a couple of years of bad news piling on was almost too much. I had to take it in small doses! But I needed that article. The Church needs an article like that.… Read more

  • Do We Understand the Times?

    I just finished my first Stanley Hauerwas article. I have heard his name for quite awhile but had never ventured into any of his writings. I finally linked to one and read it. Normally when I read such intelligent pieces having a dictionary by my side is helpful. Even that didn’t help. I understood the… Read more

  • I Love this (Bar)… (Church)…

    Mark Galli is becoming a favorite of mine. He cuts through the cultural laziness we have as a church. His recent article deals with just how “friendly” a pastor or church should be. Really, putting it in pure poll numbers, the church just isn’t ranking up there! Isn’t that just a shame? We’d rather go… Read more