Pentecost and the Beautiful Mess of the Church
By Ryan Couch
06/06/25
15mins

Pentecost and the Beautiful Mess of the Church

Every time someone is baptized, every time bread is broken and wine poured, every time a sinner hears, “Your sins are forgiven in Christ,” Pentecost happens again.
Hymns at Midnight
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
06/05/25

Hymns at Midnight

They were still praying, trusting, and hoping. Why? Because they knew who was with them and who was for them: the risen Christ.
What Now?
Wade Johnston
Wade Johnston
06/04/25

What Now?

So Christ is risen, but what now?

All Articles

Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
07/28/19

Gospel: Luke 12:13-21 (Pentecost 8: Series C)

Jesus names what life does not consist of, and in doing so he gets to something near and dear to our hearts as Americans—our possessions.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
07/27/19

Three Hidden Hebrew Treasures in Psalm 23

These treasures show us that, no matter how well we think we know this poem, there’s always more layers to uncover.
Matt Johnson
Matt Johnson
07/26/19

When to Pass on a Baptism Candidate

Everything was perfectly teed up to move the needle on the baptism metric, but I just couldn’t do it. I told her she shouldn't get baptized.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
07/26/19

Q&A with Donavon Riley for "Crucifying Religion"

The following is a Question and Answer session with author and pastor Donavon Riley where we talk about his latest book, “Crucifying Religion: How Jesus is the End of Religion”.
Dan van Voorhis
Dan van Voorhis
07/24/19

Happy Birthday, John Newton! Hymn Writer and Slave Trader (Or, what to do when our heroes turn out to be scoundrels)

John Newton was a scoundrel, a pirate, and a slave trader.
Paul Dunk
Paul Dunk
07/23/19

The Heart: Like an 80's Chevy

We are saved by God's grace, apart from our work – so why does obtaining God's wisdom require such work?
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
07/23/19

Death, Be Not Proud...

Death can make us feel like tourists or strangers traveling across the landscape of someone else’s life.
Zack James Cole
Zack James Cole
07/22/19

On the Quarterdeck

Did the suffering stop? No. It actually got worse. The commands of what exercise to do next sped up and intensified for both of us. The Guide was allowing himself to be smoked with me.
John Bombaro
John Bombaro
07/22/19

Epistle: Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19) (Pentecost 7: Series C)

Believers are reminded—and the preacher is to remind them—baptism marks the forgiveness of sins, the end of legal demands, justification and regeneration, and the ultimate triumph over rulers and powers.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
07/21/19

What Can Two Jewish Women Teach Us About Worship Today?

In the church, the main actor in worship is not the Christian but Christ.
Brennan Manning
Brennan Manning
07/19/19

Reformation, Righteousness, and Real Good News

The central affirmation of the Reformation stands: Through no merit of ours, but by His mercy, we have been restored to a right relationship with God through the life, death, and resurrection of His beloved Son
Bruce Hillman
Bruce Hillman
07/19/19

Anxiety, Depression, and the God Who Treats You Better Than You Can Imagine

God is always better than your imaginings. God is greater than your thoughts about God!
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