How should safety be pursued? Should it be pursued? Can we pursue safety and glorify God? Throughout the past few years during the pandemic we’ve seen Christians both scoff at the idea of safety for the sake of “risking for Christ”, and value it above all else for the sake of “loving our neighbor”. How... Continue Reading →
Creating a Secure Container: Care Group Leader Training
Audio From the class on 8/22/21 Click on this link for Care Group CovenantDownload Why Relational Safety? - If people don't feel like they can share than they won't bring things to light and won't grow. 8For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of... Continue Reading →
Leaving Quarantine Divided
The church is one body of Christ, and has one Lord, one faith, and shares one new birth into the family of faith as God's children (Eph 4:5). Based on what I've heard and read recently, you wouldn't think that's true of Christians. As this crisis has lengthened, the church has become more and more... Continue Reading →
At Home and Alone
The idea that we may experience loneliness is foreign to us, and maybe even appalling. We think that loneliness is experienced by weak people, needy people, or sulking introverted people who have isolated themselves. The possibility that we could experience such a weak and pathetic state of loneliness never crosses our minds, but maybe we're... Continue Reading →
The Last Liturgy Standing
All the American rhythms of life we're used to are now drastically different or gone altogether for the time being. The sports cycle, the news cycle, the shopping cycle, not least the daily 9-5 cycle. All of these rhythms are habit forming, and thus soul-forming rituals (read about how habits shape identity here). Our calendars... Continue Reading →
Living With Fear Part 1: Don’t Suppress
Over the next few months, almost everyone on the planet will be coming to terms with their own fears. With each new development in the news cycle, some will be triggered with anxiety and immediately feel panic, some will self-righteously "rise above it", and others will be more afraid of what people think of their... Continue Reading →
“Care Group Boot Camp” ABF Summary and Audio
Week 1 (no audio): Priority: Because we believe in the value of community, we agree to give priority to our group meetings. If we are running late, we will call ahead. Hebrews 10:24-25, Matthew 18:19-20, Psalm 133 Week 2: Confidentiality: We agree that whatever is shared here stays here unless permission is asked. This includes what is... Continue Reading →
Christ in Me Meets Christ in You
If God’s presence is everywhere, is there something special about the gathered body Sunday morning? If we can truly worship God as new covenant people wherever we are, why do we emphasize worshipping together? Given the plethora of great online sermons and YouTube videos of worship songs, why even go to church on Sunday? The... Continue Reading →