Ministry and the Law: Directly Addressing a Sticky Question

In sum, the Bible clearly calls us to act with compassion—a compassion that includes ministering to the physical and spiritual needs of the most vulnerable among us—unless prohibited from doing so by some explicit and overriding biblical mandate. Yes, we should obey the laws of the state, but in my mind, the current U.S. law rightly understood—appreciating its actual implementation—does not provide such a clear prohibition. Paul’s admonition obligates us to submit to the law, including immigration law, as the government defines and enforces it, but we do not have an obligation (or even a right) to enlarge the law or its enforcement beyond what the government prescribes and models.

An Alternative Script for Same-Sex Attraction

What if this was the main message that those with SSA received from the church? What if they heard not simply, “Don’t have that relationship!” but, “You are welcome in the church, and in all these relationships, and we will seek to support you in your walk of faith with community, loving relationships, and hospitality”?

Why People are Staying in Churches

With about a bazillion posts out there on why people are leaving, let’s spend a few minutes on why people are staying with church. There is a lot of good that can be done by talking about our weaknesses and being open and honest about it but we need balance. It is important to point out times when things go right. These are times the church is fulfilling its God-given purposes in meaningful and effective ways. We all know people who are “staying in church” and it is important we understand why.

Youth Groups Driving Christian Teens to Abandon Faith

According to a new five-week, three-question national survey sponsored by the National Center for Family-Integrated Churches (NCFIC), the youth group itself is the problem. Fifty-five percent of American Christians are concerned with modern youth ministry because it’s too shallow and too entertainment-focused, resulting in an inability to train mature believers. But even if church youth groups had the gravitas of Dallas Theological Seminary, 36 percent of today’s believers are convinced youth groups themselves are not even biblical.

The Top Five Reasons Your Church Could Land in Court

5) Zoning (5.4% of cases)
4) Property disputes (6.8% of cases)
3) Insurance coverage disputes (7.3% of cases)
2) Nonsexual personal injuries (7.6% of cases)
1) Sexual abuse of minors (13.6% of cases)

Colorado man’s dog accidentally gets healthcare account

Shane Smith, of Fort Collins, said he used the Connect for Health Colorado’s phone service to sign up for a health insurance account after his previous plan was canceled due to ACA rules, and he later received a letter informing him an account had been opened in the name of Baxter, his 14-year-old Yorkshire terrier, KDVR-TV, Denver, reported Wednesday.