Posts by Kevin Schaal
Should Pastors Have Friends in the Congregation?
I was asked this question over Facebook recently. Is it wise for a church leader (whether it be elder, pastor, pastor’s wife, etc.,) to have a close friendship with certain members of the congregation? (someone of his/her same gender). When a person is selective with his/her friendships, and shows more affection, interest, concern, to some…
Read MoreThe Average Chick-fil-A Generates Double the Sales of McDonald’s, Despite Closing Sundays – Michael Foust
The average Chick-fil-A restaurant generates more than double the revenue of the average McDonald’s restaurant, according to a new Goldman Sachs analysis that also predicted Chick-fil-A has an even brighter future.Chick-fil-A does this despite being closed Sundays. Source: The Average Chick-fil-A Generates Double the Sales of McDonald’s, Despite Closing Sundays – Michael Foust
Read MoreThree Lessons to Learn from the Josh Harris Recantation
I wrote most of this blog earlier in the week and I intended to discuss Josh Harris recantation of his views on dating and the purity culture (here). But then, on Saturday, this bombshell hit. Josh Harris, the best-selling author of I Kissed Dating Goodbye and other books, former heir of CJ Mahaney at Covenant…
Read MoreIs Disney Anti-Christian?
Disney removed Jesus completely from a story that was all about Jesus. Madeleine L’Engle publicly stated that her Newberry Award-winning novel, A Wrinkle in Time (1963), was about Jesus Christ and her understanding of Christianity. “If I’ve ever written a book that says what I feel about God and the universe, this is it,” L’Engle reportedly…
Read MoreThe complex role of faith in the women’s suffrage movement – Religion News Service
(RNS) — This week marks 100 years since Congress passed the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, guaranteeing women the right to vote.Passed in the wake of a cataclysmic world war, it wasn’t ratified until 1920.Many of the women who had lobbied for it (it was first introduced in Congress in 1878), including Susan B. Anthony…
Read MoreWe Need More Pastors, Where Are They?
The aging status of the collective group of pastors leading independent Baptist Churches is alarming. This problem is impacting all of broader evangelicalism. Most of our pastors are in their late 50’s and above. A new generation of committed church leaders must rise up and not only carry on the work already established but also…
Read MoreWashington Abortion & Cedar Park Church — The Church Challenging a One-Size-Fits-All Abortion Requirement | National Review
In Washington State, it is not enough that women have nearly unlimited access to legal abortion. Last year, the state took things a step further, enacting S.B. 6219, which requires all health plans that cover maternity care to cover abortion procedures, too.This is a problem for Jay and Sandy Smith, who lead Cedar Park Church…
Read MoreThe sober-curious movement challenges ‘wine mom’ culture at a time when mothers are drinking more than ever. – The Washington Post
The turning point came at an evening soiree in the middle of December, when Mai Trinh spotted a friend’s luminous face amid a crowd of cocktail-quaffing partygoers.“She stood out — she looked absolutely radiant,” recalls Trinh, 44, a corporate wellness consultant and mom of three in Alexandria. “So I asked her, ‘What’s your secret, what…
Read MoreThe Ministry of Friendship
The couple showed up out of the blue for an evening service. As I approached them it was easy to tell that they wanted to talk to me but were a little nervous. He grew up in the US, she was a first generation immigrant. They found us through an internet search. After exchanging some…
Read MoreWorship is Not Entertainment, Should Christian Music Ever Be?
I recently had a conversation with a young man preparing for ministry that turned a bit differently than I expected. He casually made the case that based upon his understanding of the Psalms, there is some religious music that is intended for worship and other religious music that is intended to be used outside…
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