by Dr. Bruce G. Epperly, pastor, professor, and author of Philippians: A Participatory Study Guide, FInding God in Suffering: A Journey with Job, Jonah: When God Changes, Process Theology: Embracing Adventure with God and more! Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry…
Our guest on Tuesday night was Rev. Chris Freet, author of A New Look at Hospitality as a Key to Missions, but we were talking about his church’s approach to Christian education. Chris prefers the word “discipleship.” What about a “no” to a “Sunday School hour,” and a strong “yes” to small groups to meet…
Last night I had the privilege of discussing these topics with Thomas Hudgins. Thomas has just turned in his dissertation dealing with the manuscripts used in the production of the Complutensian Polyglot, and he discusses the relationship of this text to some other manuscripts as well as some of its history. During the second half…
by Chris Surber The most dangerous thing you can ever do is take Jesus seriously. If you like your life the way it is, then don’t do it. If you are comfortable and want things to stay the same, take Jesus teaching as mere metaphors and nice ideas, but don’t ever, ever, take Him…
By Steve Kindle It’s almost impossible for a congregation to spiritually thrive in America. The American ethos is constructed to oppose it at almost every turn. According to the apostle Paul and the witness of the Book Acts, New Testament churches were egalitarian societies—societies whose chief concern was the well-being of the community. Everyone…
A Good Friday Meditation John 18:15-27 by Steve Kindle It must have been a cold evening in Jerusalem the night Jesus was taken before “the powers that be” for interrogation and trial. The text lists three occurrences of people warming themselves by the fire. Two times Peter is singled out as among them. But…
by Drew Smith [ene_ptp]While all four canonical Gospels narrate women (In John it’s just one woman, Mary Magdalene) going to the tomb of Jesus, the scene in Mark is a bit remarkable to say the least. To understand the distinctive nature of Mark’s resurrection story, or, as some have suggested, an empty tomb story, we…
Note: Today we bring you a sermon from a brother in Kenya, Bishop Simon O. MacOnyango of the Kenya Center for World Evangelism. This sermon is reprinted here with his kind permission. Preached By Brother S. O. MacOnyango on 11th August 2013 at Kahoya Believers Fellowship, Eldoret. Main Text: 1 Corinthians 1:21-29 … New Living…
Today we continue the series of interviews with Energion authors on transforming mainline congregations. Last week Dr. Bruce Epperly responded to the interview questions. Today, Dr. Bob LaRochelle, pastor of Second Congregational Church, Manchester, Connecticut, (United Church of Christ), and author of Part Time Pastor, Full Time Church (Pilgrim Press, 2012), Crossing the Street (Energion…
Today I present the first of three interviews with Energion authors about how mainline congregations can be transformed and can renew their ministries. As I read the responses, however, I sensed that these answers don’t just apply to mainline congregations—any congregation can benefit from some of these practices. While I presented the questions for this…
