Every year, my church holds a “hymn sing” on Easter Sunday. Rather than focus on doing things according to a normal custom, we do our best to herald the resurrection of Jesus by focusing on Him in song and spiritual word. This year, we’ve decided to start an additional Easter tradition: Easter brunch. After our hymn sing, one of our other leaders and myself will prepare a special meal for anyone who comes and celebrates with us. Since my church... Read more
In the first part of this two-part column, we discussed the lives of five women who were the first within their respective denominations to receive the rite of ordination: Clarissa Danforth, Antoinette Brown Blackwell, Ann Allebach, Addie Elizabeth Davis, and Mary Dill Matz. As Women’s History Month continues, we also continue with our look at women’s ordination. Even though the Bible supports the work of women in ministry, denominational support for female ministers (especially around women’s ordination) remains controversial. In... Read more
March is Women’s History Month. This means school curriculum will attend to important women in history. Commonly studied women include Susan B. Anthony, Rosa Parks, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Hillary Clinton, and others. These women made political and social strides, although few realize they also made spiritual ones, as well. Given most educational platforms don’t speak about church history, most kids – and church members alike – are unaware of the important advances women have made in Christian history. This includes... Read more
It’s almost March 8, which means it’s almost International Women’s Day! For those unfamiliar with this day, it is a women’s rights holiday that focuses on issues of concern to women worldwide. These include universal suffrage, domestic violence, gender equality, and reproductive rights. Many churches acknowledge this special day, each in their own way. This day reminds us women are in the image of God, each one unique and special in purpose. It’s not a secret to say the rights... Read more
Most Bible students are familiar with notable Bible figures…especially when there’s only one with that name. For example, there is only one Apostle Peter, one Apostle Paul, and one Apostle Thomas. We know of Moses, Abraham, Samson, Delilah, Deborah, Gideon, and Bathsheba…but things get complicated when people share names. When we see shared names, we start to write in characters within a story, and before you know it…we’ve got that specific Bible experience all wrong. This is especially true with... Read more
In honor of Arospec Awareness Week, I felt led to dedicate this week’s column to something personal. In early 2022, I realized something important about myself. I already knew I am demisexual, but at that time, I realized I am also aromantic. It was both shocking (it shouldn’t have been) and insightful, helpful in understanding more of myself as a person. I am from an earlier time when people identified as gay or straight. Not identifying as gay, I assumed... Read more
Ah, Valentine’s Day. It’s a day people either love or hate, depending on their personal perspectives. A largely commercial holiday, Valentine’s Day emphasizes dates, flowers, candy, and honoring loved ones. While traditionally a day focused on the love between romantic couples, modern expansions also include love between family and friends. Many wonder, though, how did love become associated with Valentine’s Day? What do the two have in common, and how do they overlap. Does it have anything to do with... Read more
In part 1 of this series on ministry, I discussed eight specific things I wish I’d known before going into ministry. As I stated, I didn’t know very many people in ministry back then and I went in rather wide-eyed and unassuming. To say the “human component” of ministry was sometimes a shock is a bit of an understatement. As one who has spent all of my adult life in ministry, I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that God doesn’t... Read more
I’ve spent all of my adult life in Christian ministry. Sure, I have had side jobs and now run companies that I own or cooperatively own with others, but my consistent, primary job has always been ministry. I didn’t know many ministers starting out. As a result, I didn’t know much of what to expect. Like many ministers, I went into ministry wide-eyed and hopeful. I anticipated a life full of meaning and purpose, expecting God to work everything out... Read more
If you follow me on Facebook, you’ll note I occasionally ask everyone about their favorite hymns. As much as I love the modern Christian worship scene (and many others do, as well), there’s something special and timeless about our favorite hymns. The long-held tradition of congregational singing inspires a sense of spiritual unity; connection both to God and one another. Far from being boring or tired, the exploration of hymns tells the story of faith. Whether written in times of... Read more
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