I am happy and relieved to report that our church’s missionaries in Japan, Leon and Cheryl Hill and their two adult children, are safe after experiencing the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that hit northern Japan last night. It appears that all of their fellow missionaries and church families are safe as well.  Most of the devastating [...]

Today is Ash Wednesday, a day that begins the season of Lent for Christians.  There are 40 days (minus Sundays) until Easter, and the season of Lent is a time for Christians everywhere to prepare themselves to celebrate that glorious day.  Tonight, I will observe the beginning of the Lent season with my congregation by [...]

Ever wonder why teens and young adults stop going to church?  I do.  As many as 65%-85% of churched kids will leave the church once they hit adulthood.  Why do they do this, and how can we lower these numbers?  Based on several sources, here are some of the main reasons why kids leave the [...]

I receive a monthly newsletter called The Foster Letter Religious Market Update.  It’s full of interesting and useful information on the American Christian culture.  Each newsletter includes a section called: Fast Facts. As I was reading it this morning, I came across some statistics that got me thinking.  So, I took the statistics (in italics) [...]

Finally someone of his stature is willing to say what many in his same position won’t.  Tim Keller is the pastor of a large and fast-growing church located in New York City.  Redeemer Presbyterian Church was founded in 1989 and has since grown to a congregation of 4,500 people.  Christianity Today has called Redeemer, “one [...]

I became a member of my home church when I was 12 years old.  I went through a type of confirmation class where I (and other member candidates) met in the pastor’s office with the pastor once a week for several weeks.  I remember it being a big deal, and as much as I could [...]

I thought my church was pretty cutting-edge when we had a dance-floor custom built for all of the wedding receptions we host.  But, it looks like this church does its fair share of dancing too. Sure hope the screen covering this sign is secure.  Wouldn’t want the “n” to be replaced with a “v”.  That [...]