This is a season of transitions for young people marked by graduation and awards ceremonies. Churches complement these secular rites of passage with graduate recognition and youth day services.
A View from the Pew: Resetting the Church Habit
April 27, 2022 by Leave a Comment
We’re a few days removed from Easter, and many formerly faithful church attenders find themselves at a crossroads. Rather than lecture about the importance of showing up to church, I’m moved to offer a few ideas on getting back to church consistently.
A View from the Pew: Breaking Out of a Slump
March 23, 2022 by
If we’re honest, we all have slumps. Forgive the overuse of sports metaphors, but no matter the game, slumps are real, observable, and unavoidable.
A View from the Pew: Deconstruction is Only Half of the Job
February 23, 2022 by
A friend and mentor I quote often liked to say he was “unencumbered by a theological education.” That joke has always resonated with me.
A View from the Pew: Bible Totin’
January 26, 2022 by
In more ways than I care to count, I am old-fashioned. Add to that growing list my habit of carrying my Bible to church.
A View from the Pew: Watch Night Services
December 29, 2021 by
We could use a Watch Night service right about now. If ever a New Year’s Eve called for a Watch Night Service, this is it.
A View from the Pew: Lighting the Advent Wreath
November 24, 2021 by
With the exception of that time one of the deacons set the church lawn on fire while trying to get rid of fire ants, I don’t remember much fire at church during my formative years.
A View from the Pew: Trunk-or-Treat vs. Trick-or-Treat
October 27, 2021 by
Last month I explored the concept of fall festivals as church events and how to think about them in the current context. This month, I’d like to spend a little time unpacking a specific form of the fall festival known as “trunk-or-treat.”
A View from the Pew: 5 Questions to Help Plan Your Fall Festival
September 22, 2021 by
In the “before times,” when pandemics were far-fetched movie plots, churches looked for ways to gather for fellowship outside of Sunday worship. It was an added bonus if it could involve people outside of the church because then you could call it “outreach.”
A View from the Pew: How Long Should the Sermon Last?
August 24, 2021 by
I’m a preacher’s kid with two preacher brothers. I’ve grown up around preachers and spent 10 years of my professional career working in close proximity to preachers at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
A View from the Pew: What Did You Learn at Children’s Church?
June 22, 2021 by
What a church does with children says a lot about its focus and its future. I’ve seen a variety of approaches to the faith formation of children. All methods have their strong and weak points, defenders and detractors.
A View from the Pew: Is the Children’s Sermon for or by Children?
May 19, 2021 by
I miss children’s sermon. Our church hasn’t had one since March 2020.
A View from the Pew: Resurrecting Churches after the Pandemic
April 14, 2021 by
The strains of “He Lives!” still echo in my mind as the joy of my church’s outdoor Easter worship brought home the reality of the Resurrection and the work ahead for our church in a post-pandemic future.
A View from the Pew: Upsetting the Congregation: What to do Next
March 24, 2021 by
Last month I laid out six circumstances when it’s okay to upset your congregation. This month, we’ll look at what to do at such a time.
A View from the Pew: Upsetting the Congregation
February 23, 2021 by
I grew up in a pastor’s home, so I deeply understand the need to keep the peace in a church. Most of the time, it’s counterproductive for folks to be riled up over this or that.
A View from the Pew: Pancho and the Christmas Play
December 22, 2020 by
If you’ve ever performed in a Christmas drama you know the truth of the old show business maxim attributed to W.C. Fields: “Never work with children or animals.”
A View from the Pew: Looking at Your Phone During Church
October 20, 2020 by
A question that has surfaced in my mind during these strange times is “When is it okay to look at your phone during church?”
Lockdown Sunday School: How to be Together When You’re Apart
September 16, 2020 by
Very little feels normal about church these past six months, but one of the most consistently meaningful weekly meetings we have maintained is the Bible study my wife and I lead for young adults.
A View from the Pew: “Hollywood Squares” Prayer Meeting
July 21, 2020 by
I can’t help but think of “Hollywood Squares” every Wednesday night when my wife and I log onto our church’s midweek prayer time and devotion via Zoom.
A View from the Pew: ‘Tis the Season for Missionary Speakers
December 4, 2019 by
Missionary speakers at church are as much a Christmas tradition as Christmas trees, Advent wreaths, and Nativity scenes.