It would be great to think we could overcome some things in society. According to Dietrich Bonhoeffer, stupidity is not one of those things. For believers, there is possible hope. Read on:
Continue reading “No antidote for stupidity”Tag: Church
The beauty and comfort of the Body of Christ
It’s been a week since my father-in-law passed away. I give thanks for the Body of Christ.
Continue reading “The beauty and comfort of the Body of Christ”Apprenticeship Podcast — What is the opportunity for the Church in battling racism?
I was able to visit with local pastors I work with to discuss where we are as the Church in the U.S. and the opportunities we have to combat racism. It’s a longer conversation so visit it often if you like.
If you want the podcast, go HERE.
Life’s major shifts
I began this site “Apprentice2Jesus” years ago in a hunger to learn more about spiritual disciplines in the tradition of Dallas Willard and Richard Foster. Dallas has been a major influence in my learning so I used a phrase of his to communicate my desire.
Continue reading “Life’s major shifts”Major shifts are magnified in the time of coronavirus
We are in the midst of the most widespread societal upheaval that many people alive today have ever experienced. Already our institutions, habits, relationships, and culture are shifting before our eyes. Frank M. Snowden, author of Epidemics and Society, shared with the New Yorker, “Epidemics are a category of disease that seem to hold up the mirror to human beings as to who we really are.” The question we are facing is not whether we will experience sorrow and change; the question is how. As biblical prophets walked with people through catastrophes, their advice was never to just endure until it ends. Instead they focused on proactively changing relationships with each other and with God. (More on this article HERE.)
Continue reading “Major shifts are magnified in the time of coronavirus”Hard categories need breaking in the time of coronavirus
There are two books I am thankful for as they speak to a key issue of change in the time of coronavirus. One is The Way Up is Down by Marlena Graves. This is a book that will be releasing soon and I HIGHLY recommend you get it. She is a powerful writer and also brings the perspective of a Puerto Rican woman.
The second is Canoeing the Mountains by Tod Bolsinger. This one has been significant because the American Church is in a DEEP culture shift and we simply don’t know what to do about it.
Continue reading “Hard categories need breaking in the time of coronavirus”New spiritual terrain in the time of coronavirus
“…most of us trying to bring change in a post-Christendom world are attempting to use lessons we learned in one situation that are keeping us from adapting to new spiritual terrain.” — Tod Bolsinger, Canoeing the Mountains
Challenges for ethnic churches and asking what is ahead in the time of coronavirus
A few black pastors I’ve talked to highlight a tough issue. While predominately white churches can somewhat easily ramp up an online presence, and others have easily had an online presence for years, traditionally ethnic churches have struggled.
New churches among ethnic church plants are also struggling.
We also need to think through what is next… now. This is a 9/11 level disruption. We need to keep working as the people of God for what is ahead. HINT: It’s not about “delivering a better online product.” Friends, let us not be Amazon.
But as well, here are some thoughts for the changes possibly ahead for us in general.
Church in the Time of the Coronavirus
With a National Emergency called, churches have responded more and more by cancelling Sunday services. There is, of course, an abundance of online options. For someone sacramental, and one who has just simply enjoyed the fellowship of believers on a regular basis, this has hit me hard. Our own church is saying the next service will be Palm Sunday. (We can adjust back, of course.)
Continue reading “Church in the Time of the Coronavirus”Getting old in America
While we have a president in his 70s and three projected contenders in the 2020 well into their 70s, unless you’re running for president, getting old in America isn’t easy. Ageism in the work place, being shoved aside as “irrelevant” when it comes to opinions and experience, etc., begins to wear on folks.
But when it is in the American church, it’s another level of heartache and, quite frankly, disgust.
Continue reading “Getting old in America”