So forgiveness pre-requires understanding the mistakes of the past? here hear re this opposing this me-first, America-first, white-first, male-first approach>…
Weekly lessons in theology and public life • Since 2011
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Lesson 1: Future Organization
Read MORE: Lesson 1: Future OrganizationA Sunday School class in one of my sons-in-laws’ congregations was discussing the relationship of the Roman Catholics and Lutherans. A question arose why there was not more unity after 40 years of theological discussions that concluded agreement on just…
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Lesson 2: Ecumenical Seminaries
Read MORE: Lesson 2: Ecumenical SeminariesSeveral decades ago some writers observed progressives in all denominations are more comfortable with progressives in all other denominations than they are with conservatives in their own. Chances are this situation foreshadows what lies ahead for the American Church. It…
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Lesson 3: Youth Groups
Read MORE: Lesson 3: Youth GroupsIf recent refusals of denominations to finance their seminaries are self- defeating, the tendency of many to neglect youth work is just as silly. It is certainly a factor in the lack of young people at our worship services. I…
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Lesson 4: Staff 1
Read MORE: Lesson 4: Staff 1I consider my two son-in-laws’ congregations to be cutting edge. A number of their practices indicate where the Church is going. Even a quick look at their staff lists gives you some clues. (Good Shepherd,Gaithersburg,MD. and Trinity, Mount Joy, PA…
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Lesson 5: Staff II
Read MORE: Lesson 5: Staff IILet’s look further at the two creative congregations’ staff lists (Trinity, Mount Joy and Good Shepherd, Gaithersburg) for clues about the future church. The first thing you notice is their length. Even though they are large churches, they have more…
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Lesson 6: Women
Read MORE: Lesson 6: WomenHardly a day goes by that I do not hear someone on a news program comment, “I grew up in the Church. The Church is very important to me, but…” It very obvious that the speaker no longer worships, yet…
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Lesson 7: Church-State Relations
Read MORE: Lesson 7: Church-State RelationsLast week I suggested that, in a hundred years, pastors would not be regarded as agents of the state when officiating at weddings. I imagine the relationship between Church and State will be changed in many other ways by then…
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Lesson 8: Music
Read MORE: Lesson 8: MusicOne of the big topics in church circles is whether we should use “contemporary” music and liturgies. My ministry was pretty old-fashioned in that area. However, my sons-in-law have both “contemporary” and traditional services, so I have had over a…
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Lesson 9: Community
Read MORE: Lesson 9: CommunityWhen I ask people why they come to church, the answer I almost always receive is “community.” If I continue with, “What about right doctrine?” I usually get laughter. That does not mean that people do not appreciate good theology;…
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Lesson 10: Bible
Read MORE: Lesson 10: BibleLast week, I suggested the church of the future might well be a community of friends who gather face-to-face to share a lifestyle that suits following Jesus in our time. Every indication points to these groups engaging in more Bible…
Recent Comments
An extremely timely topic. Thanks, Fritz!
yes we need to forgive our leaders yet make sure they do the right thing – which they aren’t.