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Category Archives: Uncategorized
MDR: Matthew 5, Part 2 (Questions)
Is fornication the exclusive ground for a divorce? In Matthew 19, Jesus should by no means be read as denying the Exodus 21:10-11 grounds for divorce. They were not controversial in his day, and when rabbis declared that divorce may … Continue reading
American Megachurches: Multiple locations and multiple services
It’s hardly all that novel for a church to have multiple services. That’s been going on for a long time. But the survey found that more churches are having more services. Why? * Buildings are expensive. Multiple services avoid having … Continue reading
American Megachurches: Contemporary Worship
I guess most of us just assume that large churches have contemporary worship, but that’s not always been true. Many have grown with traditional worship styles. However, very few continue to be traditional. What was a strong preference in 2000 … Continue reading
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MDR: Matthew 5, Part 1
As promised some pages ago, we now need to interpret the words of Christ in light of what we’ve learned from Paul. We need to avoid the temptation to treat Paul as less worthy of respect than Christ. Rather, the … Continue reading
American Megachurches: Politics
Megachurches, on the whole, have minimal involvement in politics. Well, this is a surprise! As you can see, the churches are moving toward the middle. Why?
American Megachurches: Multi-ethnicity
It’s interesting to ponder why the mega-churches would be more successful at blending the races than others. Do they make a special effort? Is it about being big? Or the quality of the programs? Part of it has to be … Continue reading
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MDR: Is there grace for divorce?
Grace applies to all Christian issues. 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 teaches that a pre-conversion divorce and remarriage is not held against the converts by God. In Hebrews 8:12, speaking of Christians, God says that he “will remember their sins no more.” Baptism … Continue reading
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American Megachurches: Continued Growth
While Churches of Christ and Baptist Churches — among many others — are in numerical decline, megachurches are growing. Over the last 5 years, they’ve grown on average 50% (about 10% per year)! What does this tell us? * If … Continue reading
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American Megachurches: Introduction
The Leadership Network and Hartford Institute for Religion Research of the Hartford Seminary have released a joint report on American megachurches by Scott Thumma and Warren Bird called “Changes in American Megachurches: Tracing Eight Years of Growth and Innovation in the Nation’s Largest-attendance … Continue reading
MDR: 1 Corinthians 7, Summary
Now that we’ve wrestled with all of chapter 7, we need to summarize: 1. Marriage is not a legal relationship. It is a relationship that derives from Eden — a time before sin, before government, and before churches and preachers. … Continue reading
