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One Place Is Me
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Since I am coming to that holy room, Where, with thy choir of saints for evermore,I shall be made thy music; as I come I tune the instrument here at the door, And what I must do then, think here before. Whilst my physicians by…
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Blinded By What We Know
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Church buildings are still the headquarters of discipleship. More than half of U.S. Christians being discipled say church is the primary place where discipleship happens, emphasizing a need for church spaces that promote such engagement. Christians overwhelmingly favor in-person over online interactions. While not completely opposed to a hybrid approach to church, Christians also feel activities…
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Virtual Downs and Ups
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Shockingly (not really), virtual attendance is down across the church landscape. The biggest change? No COVID restrictions or recommendations. The numbers are still quite startling. Gallup puts the percentage at around 5%. However, I suspect a weird twist in the digital realm, where many say they are not attending church, because they (like so…
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Good vs Better or Best
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One of the recent things that has popped up in my thoughts is good, better, best. As my major context is church life, you can be sure that, of course, that’s what’s going on with me. “Don’t present online if you’re not high quality” (read that as commercial broadcast worthy). Except new attenders are…
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Are THEY Worthy?
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As we discuss church, discipleship, gatherings, small groups, etcetera, and—in particular—the validity (or supposed lack thereof) of digital gatherings in comparison to physical ones…perhaps we ought to ask…are THEY worthy? It’s a provocative question. Who is the “they”? Are they gamers, unchurched, unbelievers, wounded, hurt, ashamed, insulted, assaulted? Are they “worthy”? Are they worthy…
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That’s the Way We’ve Always Done It
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“That’s the Way We’ve Always Done It.” Pastors dread those words. Pastors in their new assignments believe, understandably, that part of the reason that they are there (at their new assignment) is because they are new and will bring the new. As any new pastor quickly learns, however, the new is often only welcome…
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VR Liturgy
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Psalm 29v2 (REB) reads, “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to his name; in holy attire worship the LORD.” The REB translates הֲדָרָה as attire, while other translations use splendor. The nuance may be what one means by adornment. In context, the verse is about Heavenly/angelic beings the difference between attire/adornment/splendor may not…
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Online, The Enemy
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“Online church” is not your best life. It’s life-support. It’s better than being totally disconnected, but it’s not as good as being fully connected. We aren’t designed for extended periods away from community. Someone reading this needs to go back to church. If not now, then when? The above was shared by an acquaintance.…
