It is quite possible to preach a sermon that appears to be from the bible ... but is not at all biblical.How do you do that? By taking interesting, provocative, preachable verses, yanking them out of their immediate surroundings in the text, and preaching them that...
The Next Series
We were going to show this particular video promo at the conclusion of Sunday's service.Except it didn't really fit the mood that developed at each of our gatherings. We concluded our worship time with an old fashioned altar call, and then sat back and watched as God...
Pastor Or Agitator?
So what's the more profound role for a person in my role: pastor or agitator? If you say pastor, then you'll believe that the most effective leader of a local church will care for souls, pursue healing, and excel in the ministry of presence. If you say agitator, then...
A Personal Relationship With . . .
. . . Jesus Christ.That's how most of us in the evangelical world have grown accustomed to completing that sentence. In many ways, that phrase has become synonymous with modern American evangelical Christianity.Yet I wonder if that notion of a living relationship with...
Rivergate Concert Series — Saturday From 6-9 PM
In 2008 and 2009, the Good Shepherd band played a series of concerts at the Rivergate Shopping Center.Under the name of "Thrive Alive," here's what it looked like: Well, Rivergate has asked us to come back and we've said yes.So this Saturday, June 11 from 6-9 p.m.,...
Guest Blogger — Amy Hutchinson, Theology Student
When I saw Talbot’s post contrasting seminaries and schools of theology/divinity schools, I had to jump on it. My name is Amy, and I am a first year Master of Divinity student at Candler School of Theology at Emory University and a proud member of Good Shepherd UMC. I...
Top Five Tuesday — Top Five College Football Helmets
In honor of last night's BCS Title Game between Auburn and Oregon, and with a shout out to my previous post on favorite NFL helmets, here's a list of my Top Five College Football helmet designs.The list is completely subjective. And, as you'll see, thoroughly...
5, 7, and 9
So this is Christmas.At 5:00 this evening we'll have a high-octane Family Celebration with music, drama, and word coming from our G-Force Children's Team. Having seen the rehearsal, you can expect to be blown away.Then at both 7:00 and 9:00 we'll host Candlelight...
What The Creed Says . . . And What It Doesn’t Say
I love the last line of the Apostles' Creed: [. . . I believe] in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen.While the Creed may not have the same level of authority as inspired Scripture, it nevertheless represents the best of the collective wisdom...
Blessing Houses
My cyber friend John Meunier has a interesting post on house to house visitation on the part of pastors.The timing was ideal.Just last evening, I went "blessing houses" with another preacher friend -- this one from Huntersville and he's a man I've met him in person...