Originally, I started off this post by rhetorically asking if you knew the difference between a married person’s love life and a non-married person’s love life[1]? I followed this by answering, “The difference is that when unmarried persons break up it won’t cost them $15,000, or the equivalent to what the married person paid for their wedding…” Admittedly, as a single person starting off a post on relationships, this came across a tad bitter. The longer I live, the more I... Read more
I mean, not really, but kind of… Piper’s opening is predictably cringeworthy, but his conclusion is surprisingly refreshing. The better question: Is this something in which nonwhite evangelicals should be happy about? Is it a step forward, and can it be utilized by progressive Christians as a means to bridge the gap between our conservative brothers and sisters? “And as I was watching all of this happen, I wondered what to think about it, what to say about it, and I... Read more
Written by Mark Oestreicher I AM NOT AN EMPLOYMENT LAW EXPERT OR AUTHORITY. And this post should NOT be taken as ‘legal advice.’ BUT: the other day over lunch, a graduate of our Youth Ministry Coaching Program, who leads a wonderful nonprofit ministry not too dissimilar from the Cartel, but local and Catholic, asked me a question just as we were wrapping up: So, how do you think the new California minimum wage is going to impact youth ministry? My first... Read more
I recently lost yet another a white friend over “the issue of race.” It was after repeatedly confronting him in regards to his consistent use of the “n-word.” He wasn’t the first close friend I’ve lost, but I’m determined for him to be one of the last, as after these repeated instances, I’m relearning who I should be surrounding myself with. But this situation, it makes me wonder if within our social media day and age, where each and everyone... Read more
Media, it matters; it impacts the way we view and perceive life, the way in which we interact with others, and even how we view and perceive our own self. In fact I’d argue that a large portion of media marketing is geared towards making us (the consumers) feel worth less than others if we don’t purchase their product. They create the problem and then sell you the solution (e.g. “You’re ugly so buy this make up;” “you’re not man... Read more
Written by Stephen Schmidt We’ve got some big problems in the Church these days. That’s no great revelation. Just ask anybody on the street what they think of Christianity, especially during election season, and you’ll get an earful. We hear it so often, in fact, that we in the Church turn a deaf ear to it. We tune it out. We’re callous to criticism. And we just go on our merry way, carrying on as good soldiers of the Cross.... Read more
What is Liberation Theology? Well, there are various differing versions of liberation theology; the most well known form of liberation theology was developed in the 1950’s in Latin American lead by Gustavo Gutierrez who is known as “the founding father” of this particular type of theology.[1] Liberation theology is meant to negate the oppressive reality in which mainstream theologies have inadvertently created by acknowledging and taking into account the humanity of the oppressed (e.g. the poor and the powerless). It’s... Read more
First there was Socality Barbie, and now we have the Barbie Savior. She’s all about “Jesus. Adventures. Africa. Two worlds. One love. Babies. Beauty.” She’s admittedly “Not qualified.” But 100% “Called.” at just “20 years young.” Because, “It’s not about me…but it kind of is.” – Barbie Savior It’s yet another parody account, but this time poking fun at the white twenty-something evangelical millennial who just got out of Passion Conference and is ready to move to Africa, purchase a... Read more
A Lack of “minority”[1] church leadership is killing our economy which includes the health and future existence of our Church. Zoe Henry for Inc.com recently cited research from the Center for Global Policy Solutions stating that “Discrimination–whether open or covert–could be leaving as many as 9 million jobs and $300 billion worth of income on the table.” As a “minority” living in the US, I was very intrigued by this statement. As a former pastor, I naturally, and almost immediately began to... Read more
The parousia is one of those theologically convoluted terms that is rarely discussed and when it is discussed it’s rarely acknowledged let alone discussed with seriousness, or at length. It’s always something in which those “other people” believe. Parousia (/pəˈruːziə/; Greek: παρουσία) is an ancient Greek word meaning presence, arrival, or official visit.[1] I honestly didn’t even know about it until I was about two years into seminary. I found it interesting and fun to discuss, but didn’t (and still don’t) hold much validity to it. Although, again... Read more
Andy Gill
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