Thoughtful Reflections on Faith and Life
Romans 14:1-12 Introduction Imagine a congregation that has a wide range of beliefs. One person feels strongly that no Christian should drink any alcohol and another person thinks drinking in moderation is acceptable. One person believes that gay people should have full access to all levels of church life including leadership and another thinks that … Read More “Agree to Disagree” »
You encounter a person and there is a label attached to them. It may be progressive or evangelical or charismatic or reformed. Does that label tell you everything you need to know about their beliefs? Labels are useful but limited in explanatory power. The truth is that most of the labels used by Christians today … Read More “Theology, Labels, and Making Assumptions” »
You are a part of a Christian congregation. You are united by a common faith in Jesus Christ. But what happens if there are disagreements in other areas? How much diversity is acceptable? I remember talking to another Baptist pastor in our former association. He was concerned that some of the other pastors were not … Read More “How Important is Theological Uniformity?” »
I have been attending churches for most of my life. I have been a part of three denominations, have attended nine congregations, and pastored at six of those. I think of learned something about healthy churches. The one thing that stands out for me is that of unity in diversity. Some people mistake this for … Read More “The Church: Unity in Diversity” »
I love my church, especially in its diversity. We are have a variety of ethnic groups, ages and people with disabilities. It is something to celebrate but it is also a challenge, especially for preaching. What segment do you aim for? Do you preach toward one group or another. I attempt to cast a wide … Read More “Preaching to a Diverse Audience” »
I’m thankful that more people are talking about disabilities these days. But what do we mean by disabilities? Some may refer to “people with disabilities” as if they are one monolithic group but that is not the case. There are many different types of disabilities and each group will have different needs. I could add … Read More “Disabilities and Disabilities” »
I have listened to a number of podcasts and read some books that have argued for increased diversity within the church. I am all for this. One of the things that I love about Queen Street Baptist Church is our diversity. In a recent service, approximately two-thirds of the congregation indicated they were born outside … Read More “How Diverse Do You Want Your Church to Be?” »
I have really been enjoying my time as the pastor of Queen Street Baptist Church. I have been at this church for just less than a year but it feels like longer (in a good way). I have been able to connect with people and I have come to really appreciate this congregation. One of … Read More “Good News: Diversity in the Church” »
