Nearly 200 years ago, Danish theologian Søren Kierkegaard famously suggested that the institutional church has misunderstood what happens during worship. On the analogy of the theater, he says, we assume that the clergy on the platform are the performers.
In the Meantime, Part 1
January 5, 2021 by
When you are working, sometimes you find yourself wondering how to squeeze in your whole to-do list each day. You face various demands that pull you in all directions, and at the end of the day you may find yourself completely exhausted.
A View from the Pew: Which Part of the Service Do You Skip?
August 19, 2020 by
You don’t need me to tell you these are weird times, especially for church. A recent message from my pastor highlighted the weirdness for me.
Talking to God when God is a Part of the Problem
March 4, 2020 by
I know, I know. Gasp. “Blasphemy!” “I can’t believe you said that.” “And you call yourself a Christian?” Yes, I do. In fact, I am following in the footsteps of Jesus.
Formations 10.06.2019: Everyone Plays a Part
September 29, 2019 by
In the most recent chapter of the continuing saga of the Pursiful family, I’m proud to announce that my daughter is gainfully employed—at least for certain definitions of “gainfully.”
Connections 11.05.2017: Standing on Dry Ground
October 29, 2017 by
I love the Bible’s epic stories: creation, the fall, the flood, the tower of Babel, the crossings of the sea, the march around Jericho, Daniel in the lion’s den, and others. These stories describe life-altering events in the lives of God’s people, pointing to the hand of God at work in each element of the tale.