Many people today attend church without joining, citing reasons like family heritage or a transient lifestyle. Despite the lack of biblical emphasis on formal membership, belonging to a church community, or “tribe,” provides essential support during life’s challenges and fosters mutual care and responsibility. … More The Meaning of Membership
Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” poses profound questions about humanity’s struggles such as war and oppression. Its refrain suggests that answers are elusive—perhaps nearby or forever outside our grasp. I have begun to sing this song in a more redemptive key lately. At my Bob Dylan show this week, after the last note on the harmonica faded into applause, asked if perhaps Jesus told us the answer that is blowing in the wind. … More What’s Really Blowin’ in the Wind?
Men in places of power and leadership have too often silenced stories of abuse like Tamar’s. So I felt very convicted that I was about to skip over her story in our David series, sweep it under the rug, move quickly to a more uplifting and less disturbing text for our Sunday gathering. I was about to become one more man in spiritual leadership failing to let Tamar’s story be told. … More Tell Tamar’s Story!
A friend seeks advice on how to navigate a relationship with someone whose politics deeply alarm them. His answer warns against falling into two different (opposite) “ditches” – the ditch of fusion with erroneous political ideas and the ditch of “cutting off” relationship with people you have deep disagreements with. … More Response to a Friend’s Political Question
King David is called “a man after God’s own heart” because in his best moments he prefigures the ultimate King of Israel and most famous Son of David to come — Jesus the Christ. One of those great moments is the story of David and Mephibosheth. Briefly appearing in 2 Samuel 9, Mephibosheth is the … More David, Mephibosheth, and Elon Musk’s DOGE
The story of Uzzah in 2 Samuel 6 illustrates the grave responsibility of carrying God’s presence. Although Uzzah acted with good intent, he disregarded divine instructions, resulting in his death. This serves as a warning for Christians today to treat God’s name with reverence, avoiding unholy alliances that damage His reputation. … More Holy Priests or Unstable Jackass?
I belong to a multiethnic body of believers called the Church of Jesus Christ. I was baptized into this new family, and I don’t get to choose and select who my siblings in Christ are. The waters of baptism are more binding than the blood running through my veins and any artificial national borders. “When one part of the body hurts, we (should) all hurt” (1 Cor. 12:26-27). … More A Word On Immigration
Beth Felker Jones discusses the challenge Christians face in the U.S. amidst current political turmoil. It paraphrases the Barmen Declaration to emphasize the need for the church to uphold its identity in Christ against nationalism and false doctrines. It calls for unity, faithful leadership, and a rejection of ideologies that compromise the gospel. … More Jesus, Not Nationalism
This week’s “David” series examines David’s refuge in the cave of Adullam while fleeing King Saul. Despite hardships, this experience fosters community and leadership, shaping David for future kingship. The cave symbolizes refuge, divine deliverance, and the importance of gathering in adversity, echoing the biblical theme of hope in difficult times. … More In the Cave with Dave
I’m debuting my Bob Dylan Tribute show later this week, and hoping to bring a simple twist of faith to my performance. I even bought a special shirt for the gig (see photo). This has me revisiting a piece I wrote a while back. Enjoy some wisdom from the now 83-year old Bob that he shared on his 50th birthday. … More Bob Dylan, Yuppies, and the Most Important Thing
You might have expected public celebrations of the birth by crowds of enthusiastic well-wishers; messages of goodwill from kings, queens and emperors, movers and shakers; religious leaders, political power-brokers, and wealthy benefactors. What you got was a child-killing death squad sent at the command of a vicious despot, and refugee status in a foreign land. Why this way? … More Why this Way?
As much as I despised these inner voices and nagging feelings, I also found strange comfort in their familiarity. I could hardly imagine life without them running amuck and filling my soul’s courtyard with 24/7 parties of gloom. I figured it was better to feel something “living” inside my soul, than to feel nothing at all. So I embraced an inner life full of brooding thoughts, bubbling resentment, and emotional turmoil. … More Elizabeth’s Inner Tenants
The Third Sunday of Advent Here’s my 1st-person imaginative monologue of Joseph and his blue-collar faith. I’m not sure why you have included me in this series on contemplative spirituality. Contemplatives are typically thought to be monks and nuns found in monasteries, men and women who have left ordinary life to pursue a life of … More Joseph: Blue-Collar Contemplative
“The obviously well kept secret of the “ordinary” is that it is made to be a receptacle of the divine, a place where the life of God flows.” These words from Dallas Willard get to the heart of my meditation this coming Sunday as I get into the character of Mary in our “Contemplative Christmas” series. I am delighted … More Receptacles of the Divine
Here I sit on another Thanksgiving week, trying to put into words what God has been doing among us and through us as this past year. Once again, I humble myself and admit my utter dependence God and his people to raise a modest salary to continue this ministry. I don’t like it, but humility is a Christian virtue and crucifying one’s ego a worthy spiritual practice. … More Giving Thanks!
Are you ready to leave the noise of the election behind and move into the stillness and wonder Advent?Join us this Advent as we explore Zechariah being struck dumb, resulting in a forced silent retreat; ponder Elizabeth’s inner leaping, and wonder if our soul is more apt to leap, flee or slumber in God’s presence; marvel at Mary’s inner hospitality, and wonder what it means for us to cultivate an inner sanctuary for the dwelling of God. And more. … More A Contemplative Christmas
I just left the ballot box and have officially exercised my democratic right and privilege in the 2024 election. As a follower and representative of Jesus, I wish His Kingdom values and the fruit of the Spirit were on the ballot with little ovals to fill in. But they are not. Or are they? … More Character on the Ballot
A shocking, even offensive detail, jumped out as I read the account of Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, this time. Why would Jesus ask a blind man to come to him? Wouldn’t it be easier and more considerate for the able-bodied man to go over to the disabled man? Perhaps there’s a deeper spiritual lesson here to ponder. Let’s dig in. … More Blind Obedience
Last week was exhilarating, meaningful and exhausting reaching some 350 people with Kingdom hope! Here’s some highlights from an uplifting week filled with 3 performances, heading back into the classroom, and spreading Kingdom hope as a Happy Sower! … More What a Week!
As someone who struggles with anxiety, I understand the crippling power fear can exercise in our lives. As a pastor and disciple of Jesus, however, I live in a story where faith overcomes fear, and where Christ’s “perfect love drives out all fear” — including in our political engagement. What can the “Got Milk?” ad campaign teach us? Skye Jethani explains in this video. … More Fear Not, Christian!
I’m playing a lot of music these days – funerals, fundraisers, senior homes, and picking in the basement. Sometimes I hit record and perhaps I’ll share them here on Saturday mornings. Here’s a first take, rough cut (partial) cover of one of my favorite political songs in these days of confused allegiances. Feel free to skip my singing and just read the lyrics. … More #SaturdaySong – “The Kingdom of Jesus”
Pastor Mike Glenn emphasizes the challenges of navigating political discourse within churches during an intense election year. He urges believers to prioritize their relationship with Jesus above politics, reminding them they represent Christ as ambassadors. Ultimately, Glenn argues that the Kingdom of God transcends earthly elections and calls for faithful Christian engagement in societal leadership. … More Pastors and Politics
I want to commend to you the “Evangelical Confession 2024” as a helpful guide for Christians this election season. It emphasizes allegiance to Jesus over political ideologies while encouraging love, truth, unity, and recognition of every individual’s worth. It outlines Biblical principles that reject fear, division, and manipulation in political discourse, aiming to position the Church as a prophetic witness of God’s reconciliation and love in a divisive world. … More Evangelical Confession 2024
A family I know and love was rattled recently to get a note from someone they considered a longtime friend suggesting that the family was going to hell. The cause for the impending brimstone was not that the family denied the faith, embraced some heresy, or adopted some unrepentant life of immorality. At issue was that the family did not support a presidential candidate.
… More To Hell With the Election (by Russell Moore)
In Mark 7, we encounter a Jesus who is a bit more intrusive and hands-on than we were prepared for. We want God’s healing touch, but we would prefer if he worked the miracle from a safe distance. We desire God’s healing and pray for him to show up in our lives, but are we willing to embrace the messy, personal boundary-breaking processes by which God may choose to show up? … More The Sigh of Jesus
Jeremy Berg 