Is the Church "Essential"? – Responding to Governing Authorities

Is the Church "Essential"? – Responding to Governing Authorities

We can temporarily suspend gatherings and settle for the cheap substitute of video worship services and conference call prayer meetings, and this may be suitable for a season––and there seems to be much wisdom in adopting this approach during a global pandemic. But it is alarming to realize that some governing authorities regard church as little more than a form of entertainment akin to a movie theater, so that even as shutting down a theater can be replaced by streaming a movie at home, so also shutting down a church can be replaced by streaming a service at home. And it is alarming how many churches have jumped on board as if they agree! Is not our gathering as a church far more substantial than a one-hour production of two-bit worship-tainment?

Binging Character: Identity and the False Sureness of Expertise

Binging Character: Identity and the False Sureness of Expertise

Just as multiple viewings of “House” or “Grey’s Anatomy” do not satisfy as sufficient training to work in the medical field, neither will a crash course in Christian ethics lead to a moral life or snap decision making. Everyone is a theologian, good or bad. Everyone is an ethicist, good or bad. The key to good ethics is not immersion into ethical theory, but immersion into the church and into Christ.

Manna: Trusting God and Others in a Season of Scarcity

Manna: Trusting God and Others in a Season of Scarcity

If there’s one thing we learn from how manna, that strange stuff or bread or substance (what is it?), worked throughout Israel’s time of traipsing through the desert, then it’s that trust is a major issue, trusting each other in our communities, trusting our local and national leaders and trusting the faithful triune God who is committed to us and present with us in Christ by the Spirit.

Real Presence and Social Distancing

Real Presence and Social Distancing

We can see each other, but we can’t be with each other. There is a big difference, and we feel it every time we log on. I’ve also noticed that many pastors are preaching shorter sermons and sending out short updates. This is because we recognize that a lecture on a screen is, quite frankly, not the best medium for teaching and preaching complex theology or calling people to deep reflection on the gospel.

How Do We Know If Our Experiences of God Are Real? Lessons from Jonathan Edwards

How Do We Know If Our Experiences of God Are Real? Lessons from Jonathan Edwards

What sort of signs might we look for to know whether or not what is happening is from God? And if we were to pray for renewal, how would we know God was answering that prayer? Would it look like renewed interest in our liturgies? Or perhaps a new love for the Prayer Book? Would it look like many running to new monastic communities? Would it look like a passion for theology, for politics, or community impact? Would it mean more contemporary worship music? Maybe more traditional music? Would it be lots of new churches? Would it mean larger or smaller churches?