“It’s easy to think our entrenched cultural ideas are right and godly.”
Body
“We may think we understand our culture, but much of it remains below the surface. We might not see it until someone crashes into our subconscious cultural beliefs.” - TGC
This Is a Good Time to Be Thankful
I doubt that thankfulness is the first thing most conservative Christians feel these days when they reflect on American culture. There are some good reasons for that! I get it. Much is changing. Much more has already changed but is now becoming evident in more ways.
Many of the changes we’re seeing have to do with aspects of life we’re deeply sensitive about—like sexual ethics, marriage, and family. Visceral reactions are, if unhelpful, at least understandable.
There’s a lot of outrage and fear.
Discussion
How can pastors equip their people to think about cultural issues and live out the mission of God in the public square?
Body
“When it comes to being equipped on how to steward their citizenship, there is often little theological reflection. As a result, the public theology of God’s people is formed by other voices throughout the week, from social media to pundits to politicians.” - Daniel Darling
Discussion
Should Christian Homes, Schools, and Churches Have a Gender Curriculum?
Body
“We must be more purposeful about this than ever before. It must be instruction that is Bible-based and does not follow the extremes or errors of popular culture.” - P&D
Discussion
The Anthropological Challenge Christians Face
Body
“For Protestants to move forward in advancing God’s kingdom, we must remember the things that make us truly human. ‘It is a way of rebelling against the abolition of man.’” - Rick Plasterer, Carl Trueman
Discussion
Trinity International Univ president apologizes for insensitivity of fundraising letter after Nashville shooting
Body
“in commenting on the challenges posed by the cultural acceptance of transgender ideology, the letter could have done a better job in bringing to bear the kind of pastoral sensitivity this topic deserves.” - Nicholas Perrin
Discussion
4 Benefits of Developing Position Papers in a Ministry Context
Body
“Throughout 2022, I led our church staff and elders through an intentional process of ensuring our positions on several topics and cultural issues were documented for the sake of consistency and clarity.” - Eric Geiger
Discussion
“The more confident we are in our positions, the more compassionate we can be to people”
Body
“We can hold our positions without being defensive or attacking others because we are secure and convinced. The retorts thrown our way don’t rattle us and we can answer with gentleness. We can hold to the truth without wondering if being kind and loving to others is somehow violating our convictions.” - Eric Geiger
Discussion
It’s Time for a Change: The Case for a New Ministry Model
Body
“We cannot continue to lament that our communities are becoming more secular while assuming a ministry model designed for a predominantly Christian culture will effectively reach them.” - Lifeway
Discussion
“...while earlier predictions of the end of theologically conservative Christianity were not entirely right, they were not altogether wrong either”
Body
“If history is any guide, we can expect the current predictions—that fewer than half of Americans will identify as Christians—to contain an element of truth. But it probably won’t play out exactly as many people anticipate.” - CToday
Discussion
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Discussion