ADVOCATE
What happens when church doors are opened?
Many congregations today find themselves questioning their purpose. With Christianity on the decline in the global north, the obvious question of most churches is, “How will we survive?” A deeper question that surfaces is, “What is our mission?” Congregations that ask...
Christian Education in a Retirement Community
Anxiety creeps up my neck. I’m in a last minute dash—fidgeting with uncooperative AV equipment before the start of Bible study. Do I have time to run off hard copies for the group? I silently pray as the chairs fill up. I glance at my watch. I’m teaching a five-week...
Ministry with Youth in an Affluent Community
Ministry with Youth in an Affluent Community Birmingham, Michigan. If you have lived anywhere near this area, you know that the stereotype of our population is well established. Recently someone in the area created a meme that linked the leading characters of “The...
Why House Church? Summer Series 2019
Why a House Church? “Whose turn is it this week?” “I can host.” “Okay, we will meet up at 6 p.m. See you then.” Every Friday night, a group of ten adults and eight children and two soon-to-be borns gather. This group, our house church, is like a family. We cook...
Summer Series- Christian Education in Context
There are almost as many contexts for ministry as there are congregations. This series will explore just a few of those places where a particular context is driving innovative approaches to educational ministry. Readers will be challenged to examine their own...
Pentecost, an Acrostic
People, followers of Jesus the Christ, Excited by his resurrection, Nurtured by his ministry on earth, Together they waited in Jerusalem. Every day wondering and praying, “Come, Advocate, Companion, Spirit of Truth.” On the fiftieth day, the rush of a mighty wind...
From the Archives- Whether at Church or at Home
Congregations need to move past the old paradigm that the church is solely responsible for developing faith formation. Instead the church should be a mentor and someone to walk alongside parents as they develop faith formation in their own children. This is what 21st...
From the Archives- Difficult Times of Children
The Difficult Times of Children: The Church’s Role When Lives Are Troubled by Rebecca Davis The ideal of childhood is characterized by the poet Francis Thompson writing on Shelley: Know you what it is to be a child? It is to be something very different from the...
From the Archives- Children in Worship
How Parents Can Help Involve Children in Worship by Dorothy Henderson Worship is the central unifying act of the whole Christian community. Parents, as well as other church members, believe that children belong in worship and should be fully involved as...
From the Archives: Cradle Roll Revisited
The Cradle Roll Revisited: Ensure that the newest generation is not forgotten by Carol Wehrheim When I was a child, a cradle roll was displayed on the wall just outside the Beginners Sunday School room in my church. A large paper cradle was at the top. From it, on...