You are a parent to five young children. You’ve noticed that they’ve been acting a bit strange around you (especially #4). But they’re just kids, you reason; kids are weird sometimes. One day, after the younger two are in bed, the older three approach you. They look solemn and hesitant. “What’s up?” you ask with…
Tag: church
Shepherding in a Storm: A Pandemic Parable
The plains city of Churchopolis rested peacefully in the heart of the Midwest. Every Sunday at 6 pm, the residents gather in the numerous local churches for evening worship. Each congregation shares a meal, then moves into their sanctuary to sing, pray, and hear a message from the Bible. Afterward, at 8 pm, each congregation…
HOPE+HELP Live Interview on Women in Scripture
In this interview, Elyse and I spend time talking about Worthy with Christine Chappell for her Help+Hope podcast.
Ministerial Sexual Abuse: High Treason in the Kingdom of God
This week, another story broke about a pastor who sexually abused a church member. That sentence seems accurate almost every week. Ministerial sexual abuse in an unfortunate constant in 2019’s headlines. As each story that breaks, the same responses multiply. Some, understandably, see such abuse as permanently disqualifying. A man who has used the office…
I Sinned ≠ I Repent
Yesterday, I posted a short meditation on the difference between saying “I’m sorry” and “I sinned.” I emphasized that expressing sorrow over an action is different than admitted a wrong. When we have done wrong, both are necessary. We should feel and express grief over the harm we have done. Likewise, we should own our…