Standard – With Sidebar
Race and a House Divided
- January 15, 2024
- by
- Lori Travers
We are in a war.
“Quite observant of you”, you might say sarcastically. But I’m not talking about the warlike terrain that is sweeping across some major cities of our nation. For those vulnerable citizens who have chosen to make these burned-out, incinerated, looted spaces their homes and places of business, I am truly sorry for your loss. May the oppression cease.
What my focus is in this space has more to do with the lack of unity in the church over the topic of race. Or maybe it’s simply a lack...
Let God Be Your New Year’s Resolution
- December 27, 2023
- by
- Whitney Hsu
I’ve never been very good at making resolutions or setting goals, of any sort, really. I mean, I’ve made fitness goals in the short-term, followed training plans, and managed to keep up with diet goals for a few weeks at a time. As a student, I set goals for grades per semester and usually managed to achieve them. But as far as general life goals, New Year’s Resolutions, or the like, I don’t even bother to set them. It’s scary to me, to put a date on the calendar...
Year End Giving
- December 27, 2023
- by
- Ivan Moore
When is a good time to talk about giving? Now that I’ve not only been attending church, but have worked for the church for some time, I’ve noticed rhythms and patterns in the church year. Every pastor I’ve served under has tackled the difficult task of getting in front of their congregation and delivering the “tithing sermon.” You know the one. Sometimes pastors even say something like, “That’s right, this is the tithing sermon,” to ease tensions. Rarely does it work.
Even if your pastor is the gentlest of communicators the...
ChristMAS
- December 24, 2023
- by
- Ned Erickson
Heading north on Highway 21 near Elkin, you will pass what our family most affectionately calls “The Goldilocks Church.” There’s Baby Bear, a Teenie Bear, a teenie church with its modest four pillars all in a row; then Mama Bear a grown-up church with its four pillars all in a row; and Papa Bear, the big daddy church, just like Mama Bear and Baby Bear with its four pillars all in a row.
My guess is as the congregation grew so did the church building. It must have saved them a...
Joseph, Did You Know?
- December 21, 2023
- by
- Heather Moore
Much has been made about the wise men coming to visit young Jesus. They have a Christmas carol devoted to their story (We Three Kings), an entire liturgical season about the themes of the Gospel being revealed to the nations (Epiphany), and now a recent rise in memes about the little drummer boy waking up the baby and the wise men presenting Him with wildly impractical gifts. The image is legitimately funny, I love a good sardonic meme. But I think the trend uncovers a real misunderstanding about the timing...
A Thrill of Hope
- December 18, 2023
- by
- Jessica Fields
“A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks, a new and glorious morn”
What a timeless carol! When in all of history has the weary world not longed for a thrill of hope?
My church is currently working our way through Isaiah, and I am amazed at the hope unfurling as the prophet Isaiah reveals the promises of the Lord to His people.
“The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.”...