Clinging to our gospel

encounter Jesus

Is it not possible that we cling too closely to our own favorite presentation of the gospel, and to a type of preaching which was very well it its on time and place and for the social set-up for which it was originally intended?
Continue reading Clinging to our gospel

My thoughts on church buildings

church trespassing

I shared this on Twitter/Facebook Monday night:

RT @emergentvillage @jeannemstevens: Churches hold $28B in mortgage debt. That amt could provide clean H20 to 1.4 billion ppl for 20 yrs.

I received a couple questions and comments so I thought I’d share my response and comments here as well. I hope you keep in mind that these are my thoughts and I don’t expect you to relate to God in the same way I do. For some, church buildings hold deep value and worth and are literal sanctuaries where they can come and meet with God – however for me… well you can read my thoughts below :-).
Continue reading My thoughts on church buildings

The church is only a church when…

“The church is the church only when it exists for others. To make a start, it should give away all its property to those in need. The clergy must live solely on the free-will offerings of their congregations, or possibly engage in some secular calling. The church must share in the secular problems of ordinary human life, not dominating, but helping and serving. It must tell men of every calling what it means to live in Christ, to exist for others.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

ht theopoetic musings

The Eucharist

communion

“I can’t take the Eucharist and not be cognizant of the fact that I belong to a universal community.

I can’t take the Eucharist and not be cognizant of the fact that my primary allegiance is to God and to faith in Christ.

I can’t do that and then allow myself to go out and have another allegiance claim ultimacy in my life.

That is profoundly threatening if you start to think through the implications of what that looks like for the Christian who lives anywhere in the world.”

Dr. Jeffrey C. Pugh referring to Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s theology.

AMEN.