Church

Moving Past the Church’s Racial Apathy

Robert Crosby
With the mounting racial tensions in today's social, political, and religious climates, the Church needs to function as a facilitator for reconciliation. Unfortunately, Christians have tended to approach the issue of reconciliation with apathy in recent years. How can we as Christians overcome these sentiments and ignite change both within and without the Church? Furthermore, why are churches especially equipped to serve as agents of reconciliation within our society?... Read More...
5 min read

A Theological Agenda for the COVID-19 Pandemic

Peter Hartwig
"We have seen the sudden disappearance of what we have known, for at least a century, as church life. This is a mournful time. But that loss — as with any loss — need not be singularly tragic, especially for those of us who serve and follow a crucified Messiah." In this week's post, Peter Hartwig, theologian in residence at National Community Church, reflects on the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for the Church.... Read More...
5 min read

In Whatever Situation I Am

Gordon Miller
How should the Church regard singleness, and how is this position reconciled with one's faith? Offering wisdom and encouragement, Dr. Gordon Miller, Dean of the School of Honors at Southeastern University, draws from personal experience and explores questions surrounding marital status.... Read More...
5 min read

The Church and the Other

Jenna MacFarlane
The language we as the church often embody conveys that we have blocked those outside the faith versus inside the church by constructing unseen walls. How can this be so, if we claim to welcome all? In this week’s post, Jenna MacFarlane, senior at Southeastern University, addresses this imbalance within communities and how we as the church can develop healthier language in helping the Other feel authentic belonging. ... Read More...
5 min read

Are We Missing the Point behind “Jesus is King”?

Jackson Hirsch
Upon Kanye West’s newest album release, some Christian groups developed radical polarizing perspectives. Half of the church seemed to welcome Kanye with open arms, while the other fundamental half completely rejected him. The conversation has become almost entirely hinged on the discussion of whether to accept Kanye’s story of salvation, or not. In today’s post, Jackson Hirch, student at Southeastern University, informs the ongoing dialogue surrounding Kanye West’s latest album, Jesus is King, and suggests a new perspective for the church to consider. ... Read More...
6 min read

Encouraging Education in the Church

Grayson Campbell
An essential need for us as the church is to walk alongside members while they wrestle with theological issues – doing so gently – providing a non-shaming space for them to explore their thoughts, beliefs, and doubts. In this week’s post, undergraduate student William Campbell discusses his personal experience encountering theological misunderstandings in the church and how, through education, the church wields the power to inform its community rather than discourage questioning. ... Read More...
5 min read

The Lord, Alone, is on His Throne

Peter Hartwig
The sudden boom of elevation in leadership materials has begun producing some ministers who know the ‘how’ of leadership, but cannot articulate the ‘why’ of Christian vocation with sufficient theological depth. In this week’s post, Peter Hartwig, theologian in residence at National Community Church and MDiv candidate at Princeton Theological Seminary, addresses the pressing issue to dethrone the study of leadership and, in the process, reconsiders its relationship to theology itself. ... Read More...
10 min read

God’s Care for Creation

Zach Tackett
Some Christians do see environmental issues as deeply imbedded in the Christian mission. Others see ecology as outside the bounds of Christian interests. We find others who take a position somewhere in the middle. In this week's discussion, Dr. Hackett, professor at Southeastern University, will be engaging with how the earliest expressions of the church might contribute to our understanding of the interaction of the mission of God and the nature of the ecology.... Read More...
7 min read

Muted Skeptics Spawning Cynics

Aaron Ross
We may find that if we listen, dialogue with, and engage authentically with those who have questions or false premises about the church, not only may we hear something we have missed, but we might even grow our understanding from it. This week Aaron Ross, theology professor at Southeastern University, continues from his recent post in the discussion of skeptics within the church and addresses how we as a community might gather our response. ... Read More...
3 min read

Actuating Environmental Stewardship

Esther Shemeth
Theologically, stewardshipbelieves in humanity having an obligation to our earth; and, thus, expendingfirm energies in caring, protecting, and advocating for it (Gen. 2:15).Considering the dilemma of our current climate’s trajectory, should the church supportenvironmental action? In this week’s discussion, Esther Shemeth, student at SoutheasternUniversity, encourages a rationale that seeks to emphasize the biblical substantiation of sustainability.  ... Read More...
6 min read

Critique and the Church

Aaron Ross
Why does the church fear critique? Why do we seem so afraid of questions? The answers to these questions can be as varied as those who are being asked them. Whether it is the fear of being wrong, the fear that we have established practices or habits that are not healthy, or other inner issues that have not been dealt with, criticism is often deflected in many church settings. Join in this week’s discussion as Southeastern University professor Aaron Ross discusses the crucial element of critique and why it is needed to spark genuine church growth. ... Read More...
4 min read

The Merciful Minimalist: Clement of Alexandria on Living Minimally

Barrie Rose William
The contemporary minimalist movement is deeply invested in practicing a renunciation that coincides with the reorientation of one’s desires. Its aim is to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life. According to two prominent leaders of this movement, Joshua Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, the primary goal of minimalism is to live a meaningful life. While contemporary minimalists draw from the wells of Greek stoicism, there are deep resources that the earliest Christians of North Africa provide when addressing the topic of wealth and simplicity. The Christian theologian and teacher Clement (his name meaning merciful) of Alexandria (150-215 CE) developed a rich understanding of renunciation. This week’s article explores his vision of the Christian life focused on the reorientation of a person’s desires such that simplistic living, where giving becomes normative in one’s personal and communal practice.... Read More...
6 min read

The Groaning of a Prisoner

Peg de Alminana
Grace can cost everything you have to offer and more, but in the end you will declare with Paul, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us,” (Rom. 8:18, NASB). In this week's discussion Dr. Margaret de Alminana, associate professor of theology at Southeastern University, shares her rationale of spiritually rescuing prisoners based on her many years serving as Senior Chaplain of Women at the Orange County Jail. ... Read More...
6 min read