This is the 3rd post in this Gay Christian conversation. Be sure to read the first one first, which includes commenting rules, and read the 2nd one, written by Jim Decke. Here are some follow-up thoughts from me on one of the comments underneath the first post: Some difficult words to chew on, brought to […]
Gay Christian? A sermon by Noah Filipiak and Jim Decke
I plan to do a series of posts on the topic of homosexuality, gay Christians, and the Church, and I invite your comments. Please watch (below) or listen to the sermon before making a comment. Please do not “Internet troll” the comment section. There are plenty of forums out there for that and it won’t […]
Best Ways to Kill a New Church Plant
I spoke at a church planting luncheon at Riverview Church today on “duh moments” as a church planter. Most of what I shared is based on mistakes I made sometime during my 7-year church planting journey: (these tips are for those looking to pastor a new church as their full-time paid vocation) Sometimes the church […]
Racial Diversity = Church Unity
One thing I noticed about visiting different churches over the summer is how racially segregated the American Church is. Most of us say, “So what? Blacks and whites like different styles of church, and that’s about all there is to it.” I used to think this way too as I grew up in my all-white […]
Why Every Pastor Needs a Sabbatical
Today is my first day of work back from my summer sabbatical. First off, I want to thank my great church for providing me with this much needed opportunity. It has been refreshing and I feel energy for ministry in a way I have not felt for quite some time. Pastors need sabbaticals. I know […]
Observations from Visiting Different Churches this Summer
I’ve been on a full sabbatical this summer. It has been an enriching, rejuvenating, and much needed time. One aspect of my sabbatical was that I visited different churches each Sunday. This has been a great eye-opening experience for me. I don’t have all the answers, but it certainly raised some good questions. Namely, if […]