local church 5
The Census Taker in a Church Pew
It is a trouble that visits us all: our fate is to die and be forgotten. Tying ourselves to one another and to life can diminish that trouble’s force, but…
Parishes Need Pastor-Readers
I hope pastors read this book. But more than that, I hope it finds its way into the hands of examining chaplains and board elders, of district superintendents and seminary…
The Sower and the English Instructor: A Hobbit Roadside Colloquy
I interrupted his weed-pulling to gently rebuke him for perceived carelessness regarding his health, but like the mother of Christ, I was the one needing correction—for Pastor was simply “about…
Tending a Rooted Congregation: A Review of The Power of Place
If “church” is the body of Christ in its local manifestation, where each and every member is connected to one another and everyone knows each other’s names and stories, have…
Wal-Mart Churches and the Need for Community
The truth is that many American Christians do not want a local church. We’re too independent and consumeristic for that.