Nothing has exposed the gap between the church and the broader society quite like the cultural argument over sexuality. Relationships, identities, orientations, and even seemingly straightforward concepts such as gender have cut battle lines between the church and the world. In the fog of war and the cloud of conflict, it's increasingly hard to see our way clearly.There is hope, however. Debra Hirsch has seen it firsthand—in meaningful lifelong relationships with LGBT friends and n...

For those sermon-heavy Sundays when you long to be washing the dog or unblocking a drain, here are 101 adrenaline-pumping exercises: * See if a yawn really is contagious * Slap the person sitting next to you. See if he or she turns the other cheek. If not, raise your hand and tell the pastor * Devise ways of climbing into the balcony without using the stairs 'They cut down trees for this?' - Erasmus 'I deplore the lack of an index' - Martin Luther 'Very dodgy' - John Wesley 'I prefer the o...

For those sermon-heavy Sundays when you long to be washing the dog or unblocking a drain, here are 101 adrenaline-pumping exercises: * See if a yawn really is contagious * Slap the person sitting next to you. See if he or she turns the other cheek. If not, raise your hand and tell the pastor * Devise ways of climbing into the balcony without using the stairs 'They cut down trees for this?' - Erasmus 'I deplore the lack of an index' - Martin Luther 'Very dodgy' - John Wesley 'I prefer the o...

The Western church finds itself in the midst of a seismic cultural shift, as secular paradigms threaten to remove any spiritual explanation for life, and Christianity is often viewed with skepticism and cynicism.Rather than perceiving these ongoing challenges as irritants to expel, it's time to see them as opportunities to embrace, so that we might effectively serve the world around us and form a more robust and Christlike church.Jon Ritner invites you on his journey across...

Aren’t Christians Supposed to Be the Loving Ones?Whether it’s the news, social media, or well-intentioned friends, we’re told daily to fear "others." We fear strangers, neighbors, the other side of the aisle, even those who parent differently. And when we’re confronted with something that scares us, our brain sees only two options:Attack or AvoidBut either way, polarization intensifies. What if you could defy your ...