WS Update
Yesterday’s Congregational Meeting included an important update from the Pastoral Search Committee. More details are sent in a separate email, but they announced that they have settled on a candidate. Over the weekend of May 19, the candidate and his family will be in the city for events, including preaching on Sunday morning. After services,…
WS Update: A Better Story
When you hear secular neighbors, politicians, or TEDtalk pundits speak, they bring in transcendent categories that cannot fit the secular vision of reality. Despite that, echoes of the Christian story still surround us. “The assumed stories of secularity no longer take God for granted, yet even atheists… can’t so easily shake the categories of personhood…
WS Update: Secular Religion
This Friday, our conference on Engaging Culture provides more than abstract theory, because it will help us navigate issues at the core of our culture. As Rebecca McLaughlin writes in Secular Creed, some of these issues have been used in contemporary society as proof of a better world without Christianity. Yet without a thorough biblical view…
WS Update: Barbie, Mozart, and TikTok
Sam Chan, in his work Evangelism in a Secular World, describes the way that Christians can understand and talk about cultural items and views, whether in pop culture, high culture, or broad ideas. In short, the process comes down to knowing, understanding, and empathizing with aspects of that element of culture. It’s there because it expresses…
WSUpdate: Suffering
Everyone faces seasons of suffering, and Christians are no exception. The book of James was written to the early churches scattered because of persecution. These Christians faced “trials of many kinds” (James 1:2). In those situations, faith in Christ produces a particularly hard-fought form of perseverance and wisdom. Character which develops under the strain of…
WSUpdate: Easter Week
Easter week is a special time for Christians to soak in the gospel. As we move toward Good Friday, the weight of Jesus sacrifice weighs heavily on our hearts. Reading the Gospel accounts leading up to his arrest, trial and execution help us to see the sorrow and conviction that drove Jesus to the Cross.…
WSUpdate: Peacemakers
The Beatitudes of Jesus in Matthew 5 show a world that is upside-down beautiful. Jesus describes his followers as humble, pure, meek, hungry for good, and makers of peace. Disciples who learn from and spend time with their master begin to live like them, too. That combination of vulnerability and strength is the way that…
WS Update: Restoration
The Christian community, including our church, is a place where people who need grace help others who need grace. Galatians 6:1 says, “… you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” Restoration is based on trust in the gospel to overcome anything…
WS Update: Reconciliation
Interpersonal conflicts are painful and disruptive. According to Matthew 18, reconciling with others takes self-reflection and courage. In simple terms, the first step is to figure out how you feel about the situation and the person: can you take the dispute to the person to make peace, or do you have underlying grudges or resentments?…
WS Update: Repentence
Repentance is refreshing in light of gospel hope. We don’t have to plead with God or outperform our shame with good deeds. Instead, “Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed” (Psalm 34:5). Christian repentance is based on Jesus, who erases shame with his sacrifice. When your inner monologue…