Category Archives: Progressive Churches of Christ

Thom S. Rainer has long been a leading expert and consultant on church growth. He’s authored countless books, and participated in numerous studies on what works and what doesn’t. He recently posted an article summarizing what works when it comes … Continue reading →

The readers are always good to push me to deal more thoroughly with issues through their comments. The following thoughts were originally posted by me in response to these excellent questions by Tina Sergent Seward — Jay, how should we … Continue reading →

Some takeaways — * Cultural Christianity is dying. Only about to 20 to 25% of Americans are committed Protestant Christians in the sense of going to church on Sunday and actually allowing Christianity to shape how they live. The rest are increasingly … Continue reading →

The news has been filled with reports regarding the decline of Christianity in the U.S. A recent study by the Pew Research Center shows a 7.8% decline in Americans who self-identify as “Christian.” Looking more closely at the numbers, we … Continue reading →

[I apologize for the length of these posts, but I’ve decided it’s best to lay out the entirety of the argument at once.] A couple of readers have written extensive, thoughtful comments regarding my last few posts. I’ve addressed many of … Continue reading →

Let’s start with the obvious. The church is called by Jesus and God to be united. Moreover, this unity is part of our testimony to the truth of the gospel. Disunity is sin. (John 17:20–21 ESV) 20 “I do not … Continue reading →

I posted two posts the same day yesterday by accident. That gives me the day off. And that leaves time for some of the greatest music of all time — Bach composed for a limited ensemble of instruments. The piano had … Continue reading →

(Jer 29:1-7 ESV) These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile … Continue reading →

Back in 1804, the churches that made up the Springfield (Illinois) Presbytery decided to leave behind the then-sectarianism of the Presbyterian Church. Among their leaders was Barton W. Stone. The events at the Cane Ridge Revival had persuaded him that salvation … Continue reading →

Regarding my post on April 1, reader RJ commented, In 1 John chapter 3:20-21, the Greek word kataginosko is used in a non-damning way. Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think this is the term to use for an Apostate. … Continue reading →