Oct 24, 2009

One reason why people leave the church without leaving their faith is they believe what the local church offers them isn’t significantly different from what they could get with Itunes and youtube. The currency of the church must shift down the spectrum from knowledge to love.

Ray Ortlund at Christ is Deeper Still writes: “My passion isn’t to build up my church. My passion is for God’s Kingdom.” Ever heard someone say that? I have. It sounds large-hearted, but it’s wrong. It can even be destructive. Suppose I said, “My passion isn’t to build up my marriage. My passion is for Marriage. I...

Sep 8, 2009

“All the company of heaven” means everybody we ever loved and lost, including the ones we didn’t know we loved until we lost them or didn’t love at all. It means people we never heard of. It means everybody who ever did – or at some unimaginable time in the future ever will – come together at something like this table in search of something like what is offered at it...

Sep 7, 2009

A church is not a center for religious goods and services, where people pay a fee and receive a product in return. A church is not an organization that surveys its demographic to find out what the market is demanding at this particular moment and then adjusts its strategy to meet that consumer niche. The way of Jesus is the path of descent.

Sep 4, 2009

From the experience of one Orthodox parish (St. Brigid Fellowship) Prepare. Go to confession and Holy Communion. Then go forth… Look with fresh eyes. “Who are the people in your neighborhood?…” Meet your neighbors one at a time. Learn their names. This effort is person to person, not group to group. Come near to the suffering to find their need....

Dec 6, 2008

The Walla Walla Roastery serves more than a good cup of coffee. An icon of the Virgin Mary hanging on the wall in the kitchen reminds the brother and sister who own the coffee shop that their role in life is to serve people. Co-owners Thomas Reese and Mary Senter invite conversations with and among staff and customers, foster interest in coffee growers and their countries, and help coffee drinkers raise funds for nonprofits. Integrating their family legacy of service and their Orthodox faith, these siblings’ influence extends beyond the doors of their business.