From Ben, March 13, 2020 Take a second and breathe. Just breathe. Close your eyes, feel the air move throughout your body, and let the tension you’ve been holding onto go. Roll your neck, unclench your jaw, and refocus. What follows are words of peace. Christians are not individuals who bury their heads in the […]
We Won’t Waste Your Time
During our first Annual Meeting, Pastor Dale issued a challenge to those present. He wanted us to consider why we have made FCC our spiritual home. He encouraged us to find that place inside of us that resonates with the place FCC is, the work we do, and the community we are forging. Pastor Dale […]
Christmas Cold and X-Mas
It isn’t always warm for everyone around the holidays, and I’m not referring to colder temperatures. For some of us, the holidays may have an empty feeling – the departure of loved ones, past disappointments, stressful situations, and even more. It can make for a special kind of cold during the holidays. Christine and I […]
A Thanksgiving
Trust works both ways. When I was installed in June, I had a lot of ideas and over the past several months I’ve been able to experiment with a few of those ideas: Hosting Ekklesia during the 10am service. Instituting a Youth Leadership Council comprised of students from each grade. Offering a Theology Book Club for adults. […]
Christian Buzzwords Series: Doubt
“I believe. Help my unbelief.” “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” “Why have you forsaken me?” Doubt. It’s a complicated word. Just writing it brings that metal taste of anxiety toward the back […]
Benches, Flowers, and Rooms
The presence of the serving never really leaves the place they served. Their handprints, words and actions; their presence at the bedsides of the sick and dying; the sermons and writings proclaimed to their people. All this and more is engraved into the heart of the ever-shifting body known as the Church. Pastors and spouses, […]