If They Ask for My Sermons, I’ll Give Them All to Them (Allan Bevere)

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 10:25 pm By Scot McKnight

From my friend, Allan Bevere: In an unprecedented move, the city government of Houston, Texas has subpoenaed sermons preached by some pastors in Houston who have spoken out publicly against a recently passed city ordinance on equal rights. Sarah Pulliam Bailey for the Religion News Service writes: City attorneys issued subpoenas last month during the case’s discovery phase, seeking “all speeches, presentations, or sermons related to HERO, the Petition, Mayor Annise Parker, homosexuality, or gender identity prepared by, delivered by, revised by,... Read more

A Modest Plea for Coaches to Stay Pastors (by Geoff Holsclaw)

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 10:25 pm By Scot McKnight

Geoff Holsclaw is my colleague at Northern Seminary, a fine young pastor and professor, and this post gets right to the heart of what I have myself been observing about too many young pastors — leaving pastoring to become “coaches.” Read and drop a comment. By Geoff Holsclaw, A Modest Plea for Coaches to Stay Pastors This post is by Geoff Holsclaw When God called me to be a pastor I resolved I would never view the pastorate as a... Read more

What does it mean to “Encounter” God?

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 10:25 pm By Scot McKnight

Tim Keller, as we have noted in an earlier post, sees prayer as a conversation, but this conversation has a particular shape: God speaks in the Word (the Bible) and we respond in learning to communicate with God in light of that word-y revelation. Thus, Timothy Ward has shown that the words of God given to the prophets and the apostles, written down in the Bible, comprise the main way we encounter God. “To encounter the words of the Scripture... Read more

Book Launch: Some Photos

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 10:25 pm By Scot McKnight

Sharing God’s Love – The Jesus Creed for Children launched on Thursday evening. Laura and I are grateful for the excitement and support from friends and family. Ruth Grigson, owner of Carol and Company in Barrington, IL (http://www.carolandcompany.com/) hosted the celebration at her boutique. These pictures capture the evening. My daughter, Laura, and her friend Ruth Grigson, owner of Carol and Company. Aksel decides he likes to autograph books, too. Good folks milling about the store during the book launch. A special thank you... Read more

What John Said

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 10:25 pm By Scot McKnight

What John Ortberg said: I was struck, too, by the language quoted in news reports yesterday to describe this situation. The pastor, the board said, had been guilty of arrogance—along with other attitudes and behaviors associated with arrogance. But had not been charged with “immorality.” When did arrogance cease to be immoral? I suspect that most folks in our evangelical subculture will understand that “immorality” is really being used as a substitute term for sexual misbehavior. But why would we... Read more

Almighty and everlasting God…

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 10:25 pm By Scot McKnight

Almighty and everlasting God: In Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, That your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. BCP Read more

Laura’s Book #1!

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 10:25 pm By Scot McKnight

Laura’s book Sharing God’s Love hit #1 for Amazon’s books for Children’s Christian Ministry! Thanks to all who are spreading the word for her. Thanks to Ruth at Carol & Company for hosting the book launch. Read more

Weekly Meanderings, 18 October 2014

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 10:25 pm By Scot McKnight

A church of many colors? The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. famously said that Sunday at 11 a.m. was the most segregated hour in America. Today, pastors like Mr. Beard are working to change that, with some success. The proportion of churches in the U.S. with mixed-race congregations—where no single group tops 80%— has grown from 7% in 1998 to 13% in 2012, according to an analysis of the National Congregations Study, a survey run by Duke University. “I just... Read more

A Pastor and Energizing Prayer (John Frye)

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 10:25 pm By Scot McKnight

By John Frye: A charming mechanical bunny beating a bass drum crosses our TV screen. Known affectionately as the “energizer bunny,” it is hawking long-lasting batteries that have more energy than the competitors. What gives long-lasting energy to prayer? Scot McKnight makes this observation: “As the Son of the Father, Jesus shows the disciples how he himself prays to the Father. Using this prayer, then, is a way of entering into the perichoretic, or inner-relational life, of the Trinity: this... Read more

Listen to Her

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 10:25 pm By Scot McKnight

From Arise newsletter, by: Adelita Garza is lead pastor of both the Spanish and English congregations at Puente de Vida(Bridge of Life) Church in Santa Paula, CA. She is passionate about seeing the lost come to Jesus and working toward the unity of the church. She received a BA in church leadership at Bethany College and an MDiv at Fuller Theological Seminary. I agree with Adelita Garza: at the center of encouraging women in ministry and in changing a culture is role models.... Read more