A podcast episode about churches post-COVID and what Tik Tok has to say about the local congregation.

“Stop looking for a congregation that’s going to meet all your needs. Instead, look for the small congregation that’s barely holding on. Look for the one that has 10 people in worship. When you find that congregation, go and visit. Then do something rather crazy: commit yourself to be a part of it.”

In the latest video, Pastor Dennis wonders why a faith community should be welcoming and affirming of LGBTQ people. The story of Jesus and the Woman at the Well in John 4 reminds us we are called to make disciples who can tell the good news of a God that loves everyone. The Weekly Check-in is a video commentary that looks at the intersection of faith and culture. Look for new videos on Wednesdays.

Fan service is all about giving the fans what they want. In this video, Pastor Dennis focuses on the latest issue concerning Fox News and how this relates to the story in Matthew 4 about Jesus facing temptation in the desert. What do we value? Are we willing to hold to those values even at a personal cost?

The Weekly Check-in is a video commentary that looks at the intersection of faith and culture. Look for new videos on Wednesdays.

If Mainliners want to grow again, then we need to go back to basics: we need to know why we are the church.

When I read the second chapter of Acts, I don’t hear about the new members of the faith looking for the best youth ministry program. #smallchurch #parishlife

The following was written last summer. I was reflecting on the recent purchase of a car and how people tend to look at finding a new church in the same way. I also made an ask that people looking for a new church community look for a “dead” church where they can be of service instead of finding a church that fits their needs. Of course, I say this as the pastor of a ragamuffin, “dead” church. I…

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The American Enterprise Institute’s Survey Center on American Life in conjunction with NORC at the University of Chicago conducted a survey to see who regularly attends a house of worship and they released the findings in early January.  The findings show that there is a growing gap between those that attend a faith community on a regular basis and those that don’t and that has significant implications for American society.

In today’s episode, I talk to one of the researchers, Daniel Cox. Daniel is the Director of the Survey Center on American Life and a senior fellow in polling and public opinion at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), in public opinion and survey research, religious change and measurement, as well as social capital, and youth politics. Before joining AEI, he was the research director at PRRI (Public Religion Research Institute), which he co-founded and where he led the organization’s qualitative and quantitative research program.

Show Notes

Here we are again.

Conservative writer David French recently suggested that non-MAGA Republicans, including Nikki Haley voters like me, should consider voting for Joe Biden in the upcoming presidential election.

French went on to list several reasons for breaking with the party and voting for Biden, all of which I agree with.  Despite my reluctance, I will vote for Biden in November for the…

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