“You just travel around visiting churches? By yourself?” The college freshman who sat beside me at Holden Fellowship Church last Sunday was surprised I had the nerve to enter these places without some support. This was her first visit and she was mortified that the friend who promised to accompany her did not show-up. She… [Read more…]
January 23, 2012
I visited two “community” churches in Washington D.C.. The pastor of National Community Church was trying to raise $15,000 for an espresso machine. The pastor of New Community Church was trying to raise $10 million for a local bank they were starting. I wrote reviews of both mind-blowing churches HERE. As usual I interviewed the… [Read more…]
January 11, 2012
Some songs have great melodies but aggravating lyrics. “In Christ Alone” is one of those songs. I offer alternative lyrics to an otherwise pleasant song and throw in a bonus “secular” song at the end. I am building a collection of reworked hymns and praise songs, so if you would like a favorite song reworked,… [Read more…]
January 9, 2012
I visited a Worcester, MA church which is home to both a small, aging, traditional congregation and a growing, young-adult, Vineyard-style congregation. The contrast is easy to see in this short video taken as the worship team warms-up between the 10:30 Pilgrim worship (see the chapel?) and the 12pm Woo worship (see the band?). I… [Read more…]
January 5, 2012
I couldn’t go to church on New Year’s Sunday but I was able to attend live worship online through www.Lifechurch.tv. As with every other worship service I attend, I wrote a review of the experience. What WINDOWS allowed light to shine into my soul and which WALLS or obstacles left me in the dark? You… [Read more…]
December 6, 2011
I was in the wrong place at the right time. Javier Santiago, a 20-year-old Worcester native, was tracked to the bus stop in front of City Hall by rival gang members and shot dead at 2pm. I walked by that same bus stop at 1:30. I visit area churches in order to learn best practices… [Read more…]
November 25, 2011
I used to be that little boy who prayed for gifts at Christmas time, But these days I find more joy in seeing things made right. And I’ve wrapped a gift or two but today I cannot say Just how long the presents lasted or the difference they have made. So may the gifts we… [Read more…]
November 22, 2011
A reflection on Robert D. Lupton’s new book Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (And How to Reverse It), New York, NY: Harper One, 2011. What are YOU doing for the poor? Before you hand out that free turkey or wrap those free toys for the poor, consider Atlanta community developer… [Read more…]
November 21, 2011
My son got the message weeks ago that white, crew socks are unacceptable in sixth grade. Sunday we enjoyed a full hour of uninterrupted conversation about those white socks and the pressures of conformity. What sparked the openness? First, we agreed to visit a church near Springfield together–East Longmeadow United Methodist Church–and that church is… [Read more…]
November 10, 2011
Last Sunday I visited two completely different worship services in the same town. The first was All Saints Episcopal Church in Worcester and the second was The Journey Community Church. You can read reviews of each by clicking on the name. All Saints has been around Worcester since the mid 1800′s. You could say All… [Read more…]
February 2, 2012
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