We’ve heard the clichés for years. “The church is not a building!” “The church is not the steeple, it’s the people.” Cute. But the clichés are correct. The church is not brick and mortar, the church is a collection of people. So, it’s a bit ironic that when the church
Got a text last night. Another online prophet was blasting PELC for inviting non-Adventist speakers. Rolled over and went back to sleep. Since E.E. Cleveland and the committee initiated the annual invitations 30 years ago, the push back has been predictable. At times, almost comical. Listen. We should be cautious
That’s how Elder Charles Bradford described Dr. Earl Moore at his funeral, “the man who saved the Adventist Church from obscurity.” He was right. The Sixties were tumultuous years in America. Presidents and pop stars alike were being murdered in the streets. The assassinations of Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and
Trick or Treat! What About Christians and Halloween? It’s literally impossible to avoid Halloween these days. In a few days, everyone from Donald Trump to Maxine Waters will be knocking on our doors looking for candy. There will be parties and movies and fright nights in the woods, and haunted
How to Criticize the Church Some weeks it’s easier to be a Christian than an Adventist. This was one of those weeks for me. It began with Annual Council delegates forgetting that Halloween is still a week away and deciding to dress like extras from Little House on the Prairie…or
5 Reasons People are Skipping Church Something is going on. I’m not a believer in the secret rapture, but a lot of church members are missing! The problem isn’t confined to a particular region or religion. People just don’t seem to be coming to church like they used to. An
To Christians Who Talk, Type, or Text Oakwood has a Publix!! Well not exactly, but the food store did recently open within walking distance of the school. (The fact that I am so excited about the opening of a grocery store is either a reflection on Huntsville or a childhood
3 Often Ignored Reasons Churches Don’t Grow. I had a fantastic time in Las Vegas earlier this week!…..wait, that didn’t come out right. I should explain. I was there with Jose Cortes and the North American Division Evangelism Advisory. We had a fascinating time together addressing the challenge of church
Non-Adventists in Adventist Pulpits? It’s amazing what 4 little words can do. They can pave the way for a pastor’s removal. They can make conference presidents drive hours to referee a business meeting. They can even change a religious community’s attitude about an Adventist church. The 4 little words, “Non
5 Lasting Lessons from Aretha’s Funeral Aretha. The first name is enough. Like Martin and Malcolm, they stand as originals in an age of copies. Songwriter, civil rights leader, amazing singer, women’s rights advocate, loving daughter, strong single mother. Little wonder that her funeral was a cultural touchstone. An event
Young Pastors: The Church’s Scapegoats?? Let me state my bias up front. I love pastors and I loved pastoring. For close to 30 years I pastored churches large and small. Churches so large that I had multiple pastors and staff. Churches so small I had to wash my own feet
How to Be A Christian At Work Let me begin with a fact that might not be obvious to all. Work consumes the time of most Christians and non- Christians alike. Most of us spend 60% to 80% of each weekday in some work-related activity. We are either going to
