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Gail
Kent
Michael
Kenneth
Benjamin
I've noticed that people like me and congregations like mine have chosen one of three types of relationships with their denominations. The third group (the newest kid on the block) may not be readily apparent to most.
This may come as a surprise to some, but a denomination is not a church. The denomination needs to embrace and affirm its true identity and sole purpose: to support the ministry of local congregations.
Most pastors will acknowledge that the relationship between their congregations and their denominations is tethered by but a thread. One wonders if there's a future for denominations, and if so, what's the way forward?
I think it's safe to conclude that being offendable is a sign of weakness - one I have succumbed to on countless occasions. Yet why are so many people eager to claim that they have been offended?
How should a congregation respond to bullies?
More specifically, who are the prophetic vocal-musical artists among us? Who is the person who speaks the Word to us through music? Who challenges our assumptions? Who questions our practices? Who calls us to repentance?