Posts Tagged ‘Church’
It Is Not Good for Man to be Alone
The Lord uttered these words in Genesis 2.18. The next step in the Creation story is the creation of the woman to be with the man. God made us as social creatures. We need time with other people, and we don’t do well in isolation. We all learned this in the “recent unpleasantness.” An article…
Read MoreChristians Who Feel They Don’t Need Church Anymore
I have met Christians that conclude that they don’t need the local church anymore. They might watch services online, listen to sermon podcasts, or read Christian books, and/or worship alone or as a family, but when it comes to being a part of local church life, they avoid it. You might be one of these.…
Read MoreAre We Having Fun Yet?
“The ministry would be fun if it wasn’t for people!” This was said to me in jest and attempted humor many years ago. There are two questions to consider. Is the goal of ministry to have fun? What ministry would you have if you didn’t have people? Indeed, ministry can often be difficult and not…
Read More“Concerning Christ and the church”
Last month, I officiated at an outdoor wedding. Whenever a couple tells me they are planning to be married outside, I always tell them they have to have a “plan B.” No one wants to be a part of a wedding ceremony held in a driving rainstorm. This couple did have a back-up plan, but…
Read MoreThe Church is God’s Idea, Part II
In an earlier blog we saw that the Great Commission and the Church began at the same time – on the Day of Pentecost. But not only did the Church and Great Commission begin at the same time, they also move forward together. In fact, without the Church, there is no mission. Pentecost Was Only…
Read MoreThe Church is God’s Idea, Part I
I had the great privilege of growing up in church. My father was a pastor and our family attended church at least three times each week (Sunday morning/evening and Wednesday), often for marathon sessions. My parents emphasized the priority of the church by, among other things, insisting that nothing, including my beloved participation in hockey,…
Read MoreHow the Church Works
Can you guess what my favorite television program was as a child? Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood! I appreciated how he spoke in a gentle, patient manner and focused on thoughtful, reassuring conversations. One of my favorite parts of the program was the occasional trip that he’d take to a factory or store to show how they…
Read MoreVisualizing the Church
Having something important to say is like landing a private jet in a jungle. You need a nice long runway to land your plane safely. You don’t want to crash! That’s what Paul is doing in Ephesians. From the start of Ch. 1 to the end of Ch. 2, he prepares the way for an…
Read MoreThe Gentile Gospel
One of the themes of the book of Acts involves the struggle the early Christians had in defining the Church. Was the Church a new sect in Judaism? (The “Messiah-Is-Here” sect?) Or, was the Church something new entirely, a separate and distinct new body of people? If the latter, what place did Judaism now occupy…
Read MoreThe Body Is One
“The eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you” (1 Cor. 12:21). Of course they cannot! Either would be absurd: the eye alone cannot handle what it sees, nor can the head go without the feet. Yet Paul…
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