Sitting Through God School

In the beginning, when the Church-as-We-Know-It was invented, somebody asked, “How should we design this thing?” I imagine someone looked around and said, “Our job is to propagate the faith. We should do that like you propagate other subjects–like literature, or mathematics, or history.” Most likely, the committee chair said, “Good idea.” So they set up the […]

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Missing the Guy in the Empty Chair

We’re producing a generation of spiritual dwarfs. Many in the church are going through the motions, but their faith lacks vibrancy, exuberance, life and contagion. They may be saying the right stuff. Doing the right stuff. But missing the main thing. Yesterday I met a man who gets it. He introduced me to an empty […]

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The Trouble With Youth Ministry

Youth ministry in the American church is often diagnosed as an increasingly ill patient. Some are even suggesting the patient is terminally ill. Researchers and influential spokespeople report that a large majority of young people drop out of church after high school and rarely return. And they point out that the faith of Christian teenagers […]

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Biblical Illiteracy: Not the Real Problem

“The Bible? You believe in that?” Ben asked. Ben walked into our Lifetree Café today—looking for something. I learned he was a successful businessman, friend of Hollywood stars, estranged family man, and hungry to talk. “You believe in God?” he asked. Before I could respond he barreled ahead. “The virgin birth? The crucifixion? The resurrection? […]

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