It’s sexy among young people—my generation—to talk about ditching institutional religion and starting a revolution of real Christ-followers living in real community without the confines of church. Besides being unbiblical, such notions of churchless Christianity are unrealistic. It’s immaturity actually, like the newly engaged couple who think romance preserves the marriage, when the couple celebrating their golden anniversary know it’s the institution…

To have neighbors So you can pray for neighbors So you can have neighbors into your home to play a game, enjoy a snack, or a meal So you can have people into your house from your church family To have a place for the cat to leave his fur To have a place a dog can learn silly tricks To get…

  ONCE IN A WHILE I will receive an email like the following from someone who is worried that some sin they have committed may have crossed the place of no return to God’s favor. Visitor: Even after I was sealed for the day of redemption, I still have sinned against God. I continue to fight addicting sin(s), and though most of…

  Several years ago, our family traveled to Europe and discovered that Germany and France had some laws that while similar, were different than those of the United States. Don’t worry, your pastor kept his nose clean and didn’t end up in a French pokey. Just like law codes differing between countries, in the Bible there are distinct law codes for different times…

  A few days ago, a sister in Christ sent me an excellent article by David Mathis (no relation) addressing parents apologizing to their children. She suggested I share it with the church family. – – – Here are a few paragraphs of Mathis’ experience with his own father: Few moments, if any, were as arresting, as moving and as unforgettable as when Pop admitted to me…

   “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world… Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven”  (Matt. 5:13–16). That text is often cited as if it were a mandate for the church to engage in political activism — lobbying,…

  A note from Pastor Tedd: Last month we addressed why the 39 books of the Old Testament. This month let’s look at why the 27 books of the New Testament.   ** CLICK HERE TO READ PART 1 **   How do we know that these 66 books, and no others, comprise the inspired Word of God? … In this article, I would like to offer a simple answer that…

Last year we as a church voted to make clear in our statement of faith what we believe about marriage. The vote was unanimous. Here’s what we as a church agreed on: We believe marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime, designed by God to be a picture of the relationship of the…

Every movement and organization has their sayings. They can be helpful when they are accurate and memorable. But they can also be destructive when they are inaccurate and memorable. Such sayings float around a bit in Christendom. Thus, it behooves us to evaluate things we say against Scripture so that we accurately represent the faith. Oftentimes newer or mis-shepherded Christians will latch…

“I’m moving to Canada.” Personally, Canada would be way too cold for me, but I get the sentiment.  However, instead of fleeing for the hills, maybe it’s time for American Christians to start living like missionaries in their own country. Before you get offended, let me assure you that I am in no way belittling the millions of American Christians who are…