The Church Did Not Begin at Pentecost

Today marks the church’s celebration-remembrance of Pentecost. This isn’t a day privy to only certain portions of the church. It is one to be celebrated by all Christians.

There are a few different angles one could take in remembering the importance of Pentecost. The angle of the pouring out of God’s Spirit on all flesh – male/female, young/old, Jew/Gentile. There is the aspect of the empowering of God’s people for mission that the rule and grace of Christ be made known to all peoples. Then there’s the common notion that the church began on that great day of Pentecost.

But did the church begin on that remarkable day long ago?

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The American Church’s Exile and How to Move Forward

There is little doubt that the American church is in a predicament, one that’s been unfolding for decades, if not centuries. Or, as I’ve been stating for some time now, the church in the US has gone into exile. Not by being taken to another land like Israel of old, but rather we are in exile within our own land. I’m not sure it’s going to stop any time soon. As the old adage goes, “Things may get worse before they get better.”

There are a few things I believe the American church must engage in to change the trajectory that it’s on. Take them or leave them. But I am convinced they are worth taking up.

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Why the Church Calendar?

church-calendar The church new year launched two days ago as we entered the season of Advent. Many may ask why the church calendar? It sounds old, boring, and out-dated at best, or created to send us to our spiritual graves at worst.

At least those would have been my thoughts some years ago. But over the past decade I have been drawn to what we call the liturgical calendar.

What is it?