For a variety of reasons, my writing for this pastoral blog was very sporadic this summer. But, the break did give me an opportunity to think about what might be both more productive and more fun in the future. As always, Kristin our website editor, has been full of helpful ideas. So here’s what we’re
Read MoreI find myself touched by three biblical pictures of worship. One is a one on one experience with God and the others are huge congregational experiences. Both are opportunities to join in a visionary experience that can become quite powerful in the here and now. One of the things that fascinates me about the Isaiah
Read MoreAs a young believer, I saw no sense in all of the time and effort Christians seemed to spend in praise, readings, communion/eucharist, etc.—in short, much of what tends to go on in the planning of Sunday morning gatherings across the world. I wanted an intellectually stimulating and coherent faith, and I loved it when
Read MoreAs I noted in the first two posts of this series, Scot McKnight, in his essay “Church in the Present Tense,” points out that every sermon recorded in Acts, no matter how different the setting and audience, still includes the same invitation. In each instance, we hear God’s invitation to either become a part of
Read MoreScot McKnight pointed out in his essay “Church in the Present Tense” that every sermon recorded in Acts, no matter how different the setting and audience, still includes the same invitation. In each instance, we hear God’s invitation to either become a part of God’s great story or to take the next step with God
Read MoreI recently read an article in “Church in the Present Tense” by Scot McKnight, who led a seminar for New Covenant a few months ago. In his article, Scot suggested that all of the sermons in Acts revolve around a single theme, no matter who how diverse the hearers were. That theme was the claim
Read MoreOne of our sisters shared this personal story during our worship service last Sunday. She agreed to allow me to post it as long as I didn’t use her name. It touched me deeply at many levels. Hope you enjoy! – Ron Simkins ——- I love Lent. In an economy that refuses to be bound
Read MoreI confess that I am not, by nature, very sacramental or liturgical. Even taking seriously the repetitive nature of the Jewish and Christian calendar has been a continuing learning experience for me. (Which is probably not terribly surprising for a person who grew up not paying much attention to either birthdays or Christmas or any
Read MoreIn my first post meditating on Acts 17, I attempted to illustrate how difficult it is to fit Paul’s theology into our modern matrix of liberal-moderate-conservative. To be more direct, it is not difficult, it is impossible, at least to do so honestly. Then Elaine, in her recent post, stressed how Paul saw God’s love
Read MoreMeditating on the content of Acts 17 is a very thought provoking endeavor—one that can be very heart challenging, as well. I (Pastor Ron) have personally found spending time with that chapter to quite rewarding, recently. In this guest post that follows, Elaine Mustain shares with us some of the thoughts that have been tugging
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