Virtual Greece

by | May 17, 2016 | Opinion

Welcome, real friends and virtual travelers, to a study tour of Greece with a brief side trip to Ephesus, in Turkey. Twenty-five adventurous souls traveling with Campbell University Divinity School and Nurturing Faith Experiences embarked on Sunday, May 15, arriving...

4 Seeds to Live Out the Gospel Organically

by | May 17, 2016 | Opinion

Years ago, John Denver sang a song (written by Guy Clark) that says: “Only two things that money can’t buy / That’s true love and home-grown tomatoes.” Cliff Temple Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, hosts a farmers’ market on the first...

When Churches Don’t Want to Work Together

by | May 17, 2016 | Opinion

The collegiality among auctioneers offers a model for Christian churches. I began conducting auctions several years ago, and it’s not uncommon for other auctioneers to attend my auctions. One of the things I always try to do is introduce any auctioneer who might...

10 Confessions of a Middle-Aged Pastor

by | May 16, 2016 | Opinion

Thirty seven years ago this past month I was called to my first church staff position at the age of 18. Thinking about those early beginnings has led me to reminisce about the peculiarity of my calling and my pastoral journey. Now, at age 55, I am a middle-aged...

The Last Crusade?

by | May 13, 2016 | Opinion

Whatever happened to America’s crusades? Once upon a time, crusades were an integral part of American rhetoric, indicating a noble or righteous struggle inspired by higher motives. All sorts of political causes were “crusades,” not to mention the...