Full disclosure: you may not be the reason, either. There are many, many reasons church attendance is down--changing demographics, work schedules, busy lives, youth soccer/hockey/volleyball--the list is long. You could be doing all the "right" things and still not see your congregation growing in number. However, there is one sure-fire way to make sure a church won't grow: if the congregation is more concerned about meeting their own ...
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So, yeah. It's embarrassing. Embarrassing is not really the word. Convicting. That's it. It's convicting. That Christians like me only pay attention to anti-semitism when someone like Kanye West puts it in the headlines. Like it's not always there. Like our Jewish neighbors don't deal with it all the time. I've done a little reflecting on why I don't pay more attention (not making excuses) and on how our Christian ritual ...
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One of the things that's making me happy this week is the newly released concept album Welcome to Lindeville created by Arkansas native Ashley McBryde and friends. It's the story of the people in the fictitious town of Lindeville, named after the late songwriter Dennis Linde (who brought us--among others--the classic Good-bye Earl). Lindeville doesn't sugar coat life in small town America. It lays out all that's funny, ugly and ...
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Disclaimer: most of what is posted here at Doubting Believer is designed to lift up and encourage. This is not that kind of post. As a free-range pastor, I spend a lot of time talking with caged...um, I mean, traditionally placed pastors and educators. They're tired. They're discouraged. They're exploring other options. And, if you're part of a church community, chances are it's at least partly your fault. I ...
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(disclaimer: This is an angry post. I don't usually do angry. In fact, anger and resentment totally wear me out. But I can't get around it right now.) Oh, I know how awful my title sounds. Believe me. I'm not thrilled to be feeling this way. But unborn babies have such fierce champions. My undergrad degree is in journalism with an emphasis in public information (which means I've studied a ...
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Every week, Doubting Believer brings you things to read, watch or listen to that are sure to make you smile. Because we all could us a little good news. School for the Deaf Football Team Has Undefeated Season Read More Boy Scout Saves the Day (and the dog) A couple lost with their injured dog while hiking in Hawaii were fortunate to have a twelve-year-old Boy Scout and his mom ...
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Many parents (particularly those of kids too young to be vaccinated) are worried about kids heading back to school. It is weighing heavily on their hearts and minds. If you want to be present and helpful, here are five things not to say to concerned parents right now. If you're worried, have your child wear a mask. Once again, for the people in the back: masks are not to ...
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Worrying is stupid. It's like carrying around an umbrella waiting for it to rain. Wiz Khalifa I see the above quote from Wiz Khalifa quote pop up from time to time . I checked. Mr. Khalifa lives in Los Angeles—where rain is rare and, when precipitation does fall, citizens are most likely in their cars. The chances of him getting wet are slim. I’ve lived in London and in Duesseldorf (Germany) ...
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In social media videos, there are always certain hooks that cycle through in popularity--things people say at the beginning of a video on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok that make people watch the whole clip instead of scrolling through. For example: Here's what you're gonna want to do... Here's how you can... Do you want to be able to... Lately, I've been seeing, "I know this is going to make some of you mad" ...
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No matter how much we love our country, nationalistic signs have no place in our worship spaces. Nadia Bolz-Weber suggested that someone write a liturgy for removing flags from our sanctuaries...so I did. Please feel free to adapt and use as needed. God of all creation, God of every nation, God who is known by many names, We love our country We give thanks for the beauty You bestowed upon it from the purple ...
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