Wednesday's Catch: The COVID-19 Pandemic--A Responsibility of the Church and More

A Crisis Is Not An Opportunity For The Church, It’s A Responsibility

Words matter. A lot. Especially in a time of crisis. I propose that the word "opportunity" needs to be reconsidered in our current context. Read More

Cultural Considerations in the COVID-19 Crucible

Understanding the effects of COVID-19 across cultural lines. Read More

New Hampshire Church Linked to COVID Outbreak After 10 Day Prayer Session

Health officials in New Hampshire are investigating a potential coronavirus outbreak linked to a church, after over half a dozen people tested positive for the virus. Read More

A Tale of Two Pandemics (And Being Compassionate About Both)

While technically we may be living through one pandemic and the implications of that pandemic, one could make the case that we are living through two pandemics. Instead of using the term a “second pandemic,” some speak of “the other side of the pandemic” or “the implications of the pandemic.” Whatever “it” is called, it is real. Read More

COVID-19 and loneliness are not the only pandemics through which we are living. We are also living through pandemics of misinformation and denial.

The Ballot Booth Is Not Your Baptism

Election seasons are always emotionally exhausting, but this political year has been especially concerning from a pastoral perspective. On both ends of the spectrum I’ve witnessed Christians propagating political views more passionately than they preach the gospel. I’ve seen a troubling trend toward elevating the ballot booth to a sort of baptism—a religious litmus test that either confirms or denies our faith. Read More

Our support of a particular political candidate and our political views are not what makes us a Christian. It is our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and our unflinching adherence to his teaching and the teaching of his apostles. If we are seriously lacking in these three important areas, we may be a churchgoer but we are not a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Evangelical Witness Is Compromised. We Need Repentance and Renewal

The National Association of Evangelicals calls Christians to affirm their moral leadership. Read More

Envisioning Liturgy for a Post-Pandemic Church

Pandemic-driven innovations have blanketed the Episcopal worship landscape with changes that go well beyond live-streaming of Sunday services. Striving to balance distancing with a sense of community, congregations have tried everything this year from praising God in spaced-out lawn chairs to drive-thru Communion and sending consecrated elements to parishioners via U.S. mail. Read More

In a church tradition that has historically been committed to communion in both kinds, the practice of administering communion in one kind only during the COVID-19 pandemic is a retreat from that historic commitment. There are ways of administering communion in both kinds without using the common cup. I have attended several Lutheran churches that have administered the wine in individual glasses and the practice has not detracted from the celebration of the Holy Communion. Denying the cup to the laity was the first step in denying communion to lay people except one time a year at Easter and outside of the Mass. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic Anglican and Episcopal churches may not be able to administer the wine in the common cup. This, however, should not be allowed to prevent the laity from being administered the wine in some other manner.

A Choir Finds a Way to Sing. Just Ignore the Steering Wheel.

Choruses are a pandemic no-no, but there is a solution. One music-starved writer joined a drive-in rehearsal. Read More