How Did Christians Get Here? Have you ever stopped to wonder why most people are Christians? In many churches, especially those in evangelical denominations, there continues to be a great deal of discussion about things like evangelism, conversion, and church growth. The assumption of those conversations is that many people have and will continue to move from no faith or another faith to the Christian faith. In reality, most people are born into the faith. Bradley Wright, a Read More …
Discipleship
A Call to Move Beyond “Common Christianity” (#0115)
Two Competing Views Author, theologian and progressive Christian thinker Marcus Borg suggests that there is often a disconnect between what pastors learn in mainline seminaries and what many Christians believe. In a recent Washington Post article, he explains the two conflicting views. To summarize the beliefs of most Christians, Borg creates a term: "common Christianity," which he explains to mean: . . .what most Christians took-for-granted until a generation or two ago - Read More …
The Changing Faith Practices of American Teens (#0113)
The Barna Group just released the results of its annual YouthPoll, which considers the faith practices of American teenagers. The article characterizes the faith of teenagers as a "picture of contrasts": Teenagers are consistently among the most religiously active Americans, with nearly six out of every 10 teens engaged in some type of group spiritual activity in a typical week. Yet, the spirituality of teenagers is also remarkably diverse and fluid. According to David Read More …
Reading the Bible in Worship (#0109)
Most people take it for granted that Scripture reading is a part of any Christian worship service. Beyond that assumption, one must also struggle with the specific role of the reading or readings and how much reading is enough. Rev. Bosco Peters, a prolific contributor to online discussion about Christianity (follow him on twitter, like him on facebook, or read his blog) considered this topic in a post earlier today. He began with a challenging question designed to help Read More …
My Faith – Influenced by the United Church of Christ (#0101)
The United Church of Christ (UCC) has influenced my faith. Currently, I am a member of Naples United Church of Christ. According to the UCC website, "No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here. We believe in extravagant welcome." It is estimated that there are just over one million members in the UCC with the vast majority located in the United States. So What? The greatest contribution the United Church of Christ has made to my faith is Read More …
My Faith – Influenced by Lutherans (#0100)
Lutherans have influenced my faith. I served in children's ministry and then as Director of Education at King of Glory Lutheran Church (KoG) in Dallas, Texas. KoG is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), which is the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States. According to the KoG website, "Lutherans understand that God comes to us through the Means of Grace, the Word of God and the Sacraments of Baptism and Communion. Through them, God Read More …
My Faith – Influenced by Presbyterians (#0099)
Presbyterians have influenced my faith. While in seminary, I served as Youth Director at First Presbyterian Church in Duncanville, Texas. More recently, I served as Director of Education at First Presbyterian Church in Naples, Florida. Both congregations are affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. (PCUSA), the largest Presbyterian denomination in the United States. According to the PCUSA website, "Some of the principles articulated by John Calvin remain at the core of Read More …
My Faith – Influenced by Baptists (#0098)
Baptists have influenced my faith. I attended George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University and earned my Master of Divinity degree from Logsdon Seminary at Hardin-Simmons University. Both universities opted to enhance theological offerings in response to conflict within the Baptist world. Truett opened in 1994 and Logsdon expanded in 1995 to include a seminary program. Both Baptist General Convention of Texas affiliated seminaries now offer Read More …
My Faith – Influenced by the Churches of Christ (#0097)
The Churches of Christ, one of three current expressions of the Restoration Movement, has influenced my faith. I attended and received my doctoral degree in ministry from the Amridge University (formerly Southern Christian University), which is affiliated with this movement. The Restoration Movement (Churches of Christ, Independent Christian Church, and Disciples of Christ) is comprised of those churches that seek to restore the New Testament church. Since the Read More …
My Faith – Influenced by the Disciples of Christ (#0096)
The Disciples of Christ denomination, one of three current expressions of the Restoration Movement, has influenced my faith. I served as Associate Pastor at Central Christian Church in Dallas, Texas and as Youth Pastor at First Christian Church in Garland, Texas. The Restoration Movement (Disciples of Christ, Independent Christian Church, and Churches of Christ) is comprised of those churches that seek to restore the New Testament church. The Christian Read More …