I’m in a state of shock. I cannot believe that in this day and time a church can get away with this. But the male ego and the need for authority over others has no bounds, particularly in a church where no female voices may be heard at decision making levels. A quick summary: The Village Church is a large, multi-site church pastored by the increasingly famous Matt Chandler. Matt, along with equally infamous Mark Driscoll, founded the Acts 29... Read more
About a year ago, I wrote of the resignation of the cult leader, Bill Gothard, whose theology and practices have greatly influenced the now-destroyed Duggar family. According to news reports, the many girls violated by young Josh Duggar’s sexual experimentation were given “counseling.” Well, it is important to understand the kind of “counseling” they were given. Bill Gothard had created a theology that opens the door for men to systematically abuse women and children and then blame those very women and... Read more
Is there anyone who has not heard the sad and scandalous news about Josh Duggar of 19 Children and Counting fame? This 27 year old spokesman for the Family Research Council has now resigned from his post. The reality TV show which so enriched his parents and siblings has now been cancelled. Far more, that family have just had their carefully constructed and controlled lives deconstruct and spin out of control. What happened? It was revealed that as a teen,... Read more
I sat in a giant, rich Baptist church on Sunday, and heard the pastor say, “Just trust me on this one,” as he pronounced with authority the demise of the US and the rise of the Antichrist over the issue of same-sex marriages. Baptist churches are all independent–none has to answer to another. They can and do teach anything they want and all make their appeal to the Bible as their ultimate authority. I spent about 25 years in the independent... Read more
“Wow–Joel Osteen and The Summit in Houston have nothing on this place!” So my companion commented as we walked into the cavernous worship center of the main campus of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano. Tier after tier of green-cushioned pews, football stadium sized jumbotrons, multiple TV cameras prepared for filming and a giant stage with a 300 seat choir loft greeted us. We sat on the second level behind the sound booth. One of the many dark-suited, conservative-neck-tied ushers had... Read more
We all disagree with each other over almost everything. And this is also true with the various interpretations of the decline of Christianity as documented by the latest Pew Report. Many are sure that the reason for the decline stems from decisions those who disagree theologically have made. In other words, those on one side of the fence are sure it is because the “liberals” have watered down the Gospel and have become corrupted by current, secular, and immoral ethical/sexual standards. Thus they... Read more
I’ve been invited to offer a prayer at a Denton-based Interfaith Day of Prayer celebration this Thursday, May 7. The organizers asked that the prayer be scripted ahead of time. I was in the midst of helping to care for the family of one of my sons with the birth of their fourth child so didn’t have time to write until I sat in the airport heading home. This prayer then began to flow: As I wrote these words to you, O... Read more
I spent several hours recently perusing a couple of Facebook discussion groups primarily dominated by those who hold to a more conservative (read: no gays) theology than I do. I admit I don’t get the hatred spewed there–but I do believe there is much fear of loss behind it. Fear of loss of scriptural authority, of power, of certainty, of security. But even with compassion over fear since I’ve certainly had my own to deal with, I admit to deep despair today.... Read more
I am reaching a point where I think Gutenberg did not do the world a favor. And for the second time in these months in the Mystery Worship mode, I walked about of a service and said, “I need a drink.” Just walking to the door identified us as visitors with outsider status. I wore tailored dress slacks, boots and blazer and my companion was similarly clothed with a dress shirt, jacket and slacks. At the Jehovah’s Witness meeting hall on... Read more
This man, Michael Megginson, is seriously mentally ill. He’s been in an out of mental hospitals since he was six years old. Although, according to his mother, he has moments of calm and then is enjoyable to be around, it takes almost nothing to set him off. From the description of his family history, it is likely he suffered brain damage while during the gestation period of his then 16-year-old mother. He’s often violent, abusive and completely uncontrollable. He has stabbed... Read more
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