Why Church Matters

Regardless of what we criticize or change, Christmas Eve reminded me of two things: that church is simple, and that church is necessary. [Click title to read more.]

Cliff Notes: The Lost Art of Bible Study In the Church (Part 2)

Today we're going to talk about the consequences of Bible-lite: what it means for your faith when you choose to subsist on supplements. [Click title to read more.]

The Cult of the Pastor

The danger...is when devotion to a pastor supersedes devotion to a church.

Breaking Up With A Church

It's easy to go in idealistic and hopeful, to be attracted by a church's best qualities and to ignore what might be potential problems down the road. A shiny exterior seduces and attracts, and churches these days market themselves like candidates on The Bachelor. [Click title to read more.]

One Reason Children Raised In The Church Leave It Behind

Few young Christians are prepared in a rigorous, individual way, to continue to choose Christianity for themselves beyond the walls of their church or an "inherited" faith. Not many have the tools to, as the Bible puts it, "work out" their salvation - to go beyond the commitment of a moment to the commitment of a lifetime. [Click title to read more.]

The Slow Fade of Consistent, Independent Bible Study

If believers lose the desire among themselves for consistent, individual, and independent Bible study, we've lost the core of our entire Christian walk: the foundation of our understanding of God, of Christ, of the Holy Spirit, and of what He expects and desires of us. [Click title to read more.]

Christian Peer Pressure: When It’s Okay To Be Out Of Step Sometimes

The thing is, peer pressure to participate in certain activities or trends or events exists among Christians as much as it exists in any other group, and I'd argue that for Christians it's especially difficult to navigate, because we often wonder if it's okay not to like something "godly," or to want to do something different than all of the believers around us are doing. When is it okay to take a pass and not participate, to be the odd duck of the group? [Click title to read more.]

Please Don’t Make Me Shake Hands: A Christian’s Plea

If we're not careful, the exhortation to "welcome each other" on Sunday mornings results in a slew of awkward hugs and handshakes, a few cheerful "good morning"s, and conversations between people who already know each other and want to catch up on the weekend. [Click title to read more.]