In this week when my country celebrates a day of thanksgiving, my mind, of course, turns to the Heidelberg Catechism. (Okay, maybe yours doesn’t. But you probably haven’t been blogging about it all year.) There are lots of ways Christians can summarize the Christian life. This 450 year old introduction to biblical teaching tells me […]
Note to Hymn Writers: Tell the Truth
Fairly frequently in mainline churches Sunday morning worship brings me hymns and songs from many different eras. John Wesley might come in the same service as Matt Redman, and Fanny Crosby might sneak in on the same day. Sometimes a hymn works. Sometimes it doesn’t. I can’t influence Crosby or Wesley, but I would love […]
Here’s the Secret of Where Faith Comes From; Heidelberg Catechism, Q. 65
You’ve probably heard it as often as I have. “You just need more faith!” “Just believe!” “Just let go, and let God!” The subject is faith, and the common theme is the modifier “just,” making it sound really, really simple. Like flip a switch, and suddenly I’ll have strong life-changing faith. But where is that […]
How John Wesley Marketed His Small Group Program
Try to start a program in your church and I bet some of these ideas will be in the conversation: Tell people it will be fun. Let them know it won’t be too demanding — we’re busy people. Make sure they see it is going to make their lives happier. Emphasize that they will meet […]
What Being a Christian Is For — and From: Heidelberg Q. 32
“But why are you a Christian?” It is a question shy evangelicals desperately wish somebody would ask. “Be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in you,” but hope you don’t have to bring it up yourself. “Why are you called a Christian?” Take the question slightly differently and it sounds a […]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 125
- 126
- 127
- 128
- 129
- …
- 143
- Next Page »