by James Heikkila | Jan 15, 2021 | Opinion
The Babylon Bee’s headline declared, “‘Drinking is a Sin’ Says Morbidly Obese Pastor.’” This reflects the church experience of many Christians. We have become accustomed to this kind of irony where pastors or congregational members do not practice what they preach,...
by John D. Pierce | Jul 7, 2020 | Opinion
As word spread of Hardy Clemons’ death on July 1, there was a common refrain: he was “pastor to me.” That identification came from beyond those in congregations Hardy served, which included First Baptist Church of Georgetown, Texas; Second Baptist Church in his...
by G. Wade Rowatt | Apr 20, 2020 | Opinion
The hectic rhythm of my emotions strains my heart and stretches my mind as the COVID-19 outbreak wreaks havoc with my world. A rainbow of emotions invades my soul with dark purples of mad, sad and bad feelings as I hear the latest news of closed schools, unemployment...
by Christopher Schilling | Mar 11, 2019 | Opinion
A team of nurses and doctors surround an elderly man. Standing next to his daughter, a woman in her mid-50s, I try to be what we as hospital chaplains are called to be: a non-anxious presence. With the sounds of alarms and the visualization of a nurse giving chest...
by Barry Howard | Mar 13, 2018 | Opinion
Being a pastor is much more than being a preacher. In fact, many of the most influential pastors in my life have been average preachers, but extraordinary pastors. And many of the great conference speakers who have encouraged me with their insightful and entertaining...