Talking About God Without Being a Jerk

In everyday life, most Christians avoid talking talking about their faith. They freeze up. They don’t know what to say. Or they fear rejection. Or they don’t want to come off as a narrow-minded jerk. The truth is, most people–even most churchgoers–lack a basic understanding in how to naturally bring faith into a real conversation. How […]

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Uprising in the Pews

Part of what is crippling the American church may actually lead to its renewal. Over the past few generations, the people–the church–have formed an entrenched mindset. It’s this: the work of the church–ministry–is something the people pay the professionals to do. The laity’s role is to simply watch the paid staff work, or perhaps to make a financial […]

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Why People Don’t Want to Go to Church Anymore

Last weekend most people in America avoided church. And, a sizable portion of those who did make it to church wished they were somewhere else. But why? I decided to go direct to the source. I staked out a city park to ask the public why they weren’t in church. What they told me echoed […]

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5 Keys to Share Faith–Without Being a Jerk

The men surrounded Candace after the community meeting. They knew Candace was a Christian. They had some serious questions for her. This scene played out a couple of weeks ago. Actually, I see—and participate in—scenes like this every week. This is the texture of the new evangelism. This is the true heart of being “missional.” […]

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What to Say to Your Local Heathens

Punctuated with mild profanity, the rumpled lady described her colorful visits to her favorite psychic. Her tablemates chuckled—except for the well-dressed man who never spoke. I recognized him as a local pastor. His discomfort was palpable. I’ve watched scenes like this unfold repeatedly at our Lifetree Café, which attracts a steady stream of non-churched people […]

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