There is a reason Jesus referred to himself as “son of man”. Quite a number of years ago, I was asked by my district pastoral leader (DPL) to move to Cincinnati, Ohio, to pastor a church. I said “no” because I had just moved my family to pastor another congregation. Over the course of several … Continue reading "Over-spiritualizing Church" Read the article
Speaking Of Life 3044 | How Enemies Become Friends Watch Listen Download/Subscribe Download Audio Download Video Low Res Video Thumbnail Watch on YouTube RSS Feed Google Podcast Spotify Program Transcript + Discussion United in Christ, we all reflect who God is. Whether it is evident to us or not, each of us is a conduit … Continue reading "Sermon for September 26, 2021" Read the article
Speaking Of Life 3043 | An Unlikely Object Lesson Watch Listen Download/Subscribe Download Audio Download Video Low Res Video Thumbnail Watch on YouTube RSS Feed Google Podcast Spotify Program Transcript + Discussion Jesus wholly welcomes us as we are. He accepts the beautiful, messy, and brutal parts of us. He takes it all, heals us, … Continue reading "Sermon for September 19, 2021" Read the article
Speaking Of Life 3042 | Who do You Say I Am? Download/Subscribe Download Audio Download Video Low Res Video Thumbnail Watch on YouTube RSS Feed Google Podcast Spotify Program Transcript + Discussion Our perception of who God is shaping the way we see the world and the way we move in it. It is easy to … Continue reading "Sermon for September 12, 2021" Read the article
Speaking Of Life 3041 | Jesus Interrupted Watch Listen Download/Subscribe Download Audio Download Video Low Res Video Thumbnail Watch on YouTube RSS Feed Google Podcast Spotify Program Transcript + Discussion We’ve all experienced interruptions to our best-laid plans. But what if what we perceive as interruptions are really invitations from God to participate in shining … Continue reading "Sermon for September 5, 2021" Read the article
When I was young, I was told the story of “The Little Engine that Could.” There are several variations of the story, but in essence a small engine had to pull a long train over a mountain. The train’s original engine broke down, and all the other engines, for one reason or another, refused to … Continue reading "What Do You Believe?" Read the article
A key characteristic of the Faith Avenue is cross-generational care. Within your church community you may be having conversations about investing in or pouring into young people. What do we mean by investing? By Cara Garrity, Development Coordinator When considering cross-generational care, it is important to first ask what good care looks like. It is … Continue reading "Emergent Generation Investment" Read the article
Churches are channels through which resources flow from Jesus to others via mission. By Randy Bloom, Board of Directors Vice Chair In Matthew 6:21, Jesus made the statement: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be.” I’d like to juxtapose this passage with a parable in Matthew 25:14-20 where we are told: “He … Continue reading "Congregations: Mission Outposts or Banks" Read the article
Christ’s love for us compels us to share our faith in him in our love for one another. By Rod Matthews, retired Mission Developer Your husband is in the hospital in critical condition after an accident at work. Will he survive? You have to get there fast. You jump in the car and take off, … Continue reading "The Greatest of Forces" Read the article
May we never grow weary sharing that God is a Father we can always run to. “Religious people drive me nuts, always putting others down and spouting off about their beliefs.” I was talking to a landscaper who was helping me with a lawn project when he shared an argument he had overheard between two … Continue reading "Called for Relationship, Not Religion" Read the article
