The main thing people tell me is that I put to words what they feel. I’m grateful people are finding voice for their unspoken questions about church and faith. But I’ve noticed an increase of people leaving the values of their conservative Anabaptist tradition. Here’s the introduction of a letter to my generation where I wrestle through the current shifting in values.
Actually, I believe every race has advantage when that race is most dominant. It’s a reality that just kind of is, and not one we need to feel guilty about. However, I believe we must be able to identify it so we know the dynamics at play when we’re seeking racial reconciliation and integration.
Most of us don’t consider ourselves racist. But one way we accidentally express racism is by not recognizing or appreciating the benefits other ethnicities bring to the table in the church. In talking with black friends, I have discovered there are five remarkable benefits black Christians give to the church that we often overlook.
As a married person, dating person, or single person, Valentine’s Day can help each of us remember the love we all long for. We all want a place where we can belong. We want a place where we are cherished and valued, respected and admired.
When you have friends or family making drastic changes and you feel panic or want to change with them, before doing or saying anything, remember that you aren’t saved by your right theology or lifestyle—you are saved by the grace of Christ. You aren’t even saved by your belief in being saved by grace—you are saved by the grace of Christ.
It’s sad whenever we are caught in the middle of conflict. I’m not entirely sure I always know what to do. But here are a few things I’ve learned through an especially difficult situation my wife and I experienced a few years ago.
What if it’s okay to get the things that weren’t clearly addressed wrong? What if God isn’t expecting us to know all the nuances that arise when we consider the elements not mentioned? And what if Christians could stop trying to hold other Christians to their understanding of those unspoken words?
As I listen to story after story, I realize the church has a crisis of relationships—we have a crisis of connection. We don’t stay at a church because of what it believes. We stay where we develop relationships. We stay where we find community.
What if the feelings and tensions we feel at the surface—too focused on externals, not allowed to use instruments, too robotic, not kind enough—are actually pricking at something much deeper in our souls that we don’t have the words to describe…so we use the word life?
We are all shaped by way more than we realize when it comes to how think about the Bible, about God, and about life.
When I listen to those who are leaving, I hear of young people whose parents never allowed them to question what the church did; or who, when they decided to leave, were told they were a great disappointment to their parents.
Each of us begin life somewhere. I don’t mean we begin life in the womb–I mean we become aware of our surroundings and different dynamics at play at some very distinct point in time. For some of us, that point in time happens in church.
Author Asher Witmer knows what it’s like to want freedom from sexual sin only to continually fail. We’re often told we need more personal discipline, that we need to think godly things instead of fleshly things.
What if I told you that discipline won’t solve your problem with lust?
Our male sexuality is given by God for advancing beauty and goodness. But somewhere along the line it becomes something that causes devastation and guilt. The good news is we don’t have to live with guilt. In Live Free, Asher Witmer shows us how we can find freedom from sexual sin, live with nothing to hide, and be able to fight for others.
