Faith Perceptions recently released the latest edition of their church index, which provides insight into the experiences of first time guests. More specifically, the findings are based on 1,152 separate and unique church services attended by the company's mystery guests (think mystery shoppers for church attendance) between early 2008 and June 1, 2012. The overall results for each church size are shown below (p.6). So What? Large churches (those with average weekly Read More …
Discipleship
Is Incarnational Ministry Wrong? (#0804)
J. Todd Billings, associate professor of Reformed theology at Western Theological Seminary, wrote an article in the July/August 2012 edition of Christianity Today that challenges the popular understanding of incarnational ministry. Billings finds most recent approaches have "serious problems" with wide ranging implications (p.59), and almost all reject the view that Billings proposes as normative: "Jesus alone is God incarnate" (p.63). In contrast to that theological Read More …
Marks of Transformed Christians (#0803)
Gordon MacDonald, chancellor of Denver Seminary, recently shared a list of twelve outward signs that an individual follower of Jesus is maturing or being transformed (Leadership Journal, Summer 2012, p.31-34): Has an undiluted devotion to Jesus Pursues a biblically informed view of the world Is intentional and disciplined in seeking God's direction Worships, and has a spirit of continuous repentance Builds healthy, reciprocal human relationships Knows how to engage the Read More …
Are You An In Between Christian? (#0800)
In a recent blog post, Rachel Held Evans included a bit of self-disclosure that warrants consideration by all who seek to lead the church into the future. After mentioning the recent article by Ross Douthat and response by Diana Butler Bass (something I have written about recently as well), she shares the disheartening reality that many with differing theological perspectives choose to attack the other's position rather than collaborate to craft a brighter future for Read More …
Saving Liberal Christianity (#0797)
Earlier this week, my post "Can Christianity Be Saved" considered Ross Douthat’s July 14, 2102, New York Times editorial “Can Liberal Christianity Be Saved?,” and Diana Butler Bass's reply later that same day on the Huffington Post. During the course of the week I returned to the topic in online and in person conversations. The most encouraging part of the dialogue was the shared understanding about three interelated matters: There is a real Read More …
Golden Rule 2.0 (#0796)
Most Christians know and seek to live by the so-called "golden rule," which calls for a life of treating others as one would like to be treated. Interestingly, an ethic of reciprocity is also found in many of the world's religions and cultures. The Rev. Dr. Jim Antal, Conference Minister and President of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ, recently challenged participants at the UCC's National Youth Event to live by something he calls the Golden Rule 2.0: Read More …
Can Christianity Be Saved? (#0793)
As I read Ross Douthat's latest New York Times editorial, "Can Liberal Christianity Be Saved?," I knew I had to respond. In short, he suggests that the end could well be near for progressive or liberal Christianity unless something changes rather significantly as a result of decades of decline. While not proposing that other forms of Christianity have all fared well, he suggests that they have by way of comparison to progressive denominations. (For more on Douthat's perspective, read my review Read More …
Time to Be Church (#0790)
After 23 years at the Cathedral of Hope (UCC) in Dallas, TX, Michael Piazza accepted a call to the Virginia-Highland Church (UCC) last year. In addition to his pastoral ministry in a congregational context, Piazza serves as co-executive director of the Center for Progressive Renewal and as president of Hope for Peace & Justice. In the latter role, he wrote these challenging words earlier this week: The progressive church has a long and noble history of engaging the political system around Read More …
Silence in Worship (#0789)
Mark Vernon's recent article explores how limited silence is a part of most Christian worship services today. The current preference for services filled with sound is an historical aberration. To consider the topic in greater depth, he defers to Diarmaid MacCulloch (pictured at right), professor of the history of the church at Oxford University. MacCulloch chose the silence in Christian history as his topic for the prestigious Gifford Lectures, which are available online. So Read More …
The Summer Slump (#0787)
Joe Smith, pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church (Lakewood, WA), recently blogged about one common approach to dealing with drops in attendance and giving in local congregations during the summer months: sending a "summer slump letter" (a letter sent to members encouraging them to keep their giving regular during the summer months). This unhelpful and unhealthy approach "corrodes community" and reaches the wrong audience, since those who are most active are most likely Read More …