Our vision is to partner in spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. Our mission is to work together in ways that promote healthy congregations and effective leaders in every place, making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
I confess that even typing the title of this piece makes me shudder. God’s hate? As a child I was told that was a phrase you should never use. There are only occasional references to such an idea in the Bible. Plainly God is pleased with creation (Genesis 1 & 2) but then greatly saddened… Continue Reading→
I had begun writing this article prior to last Sunday’s announcement about a change in my appointment. The article is therefore all the more fitting and, for me anyway, apropos. I am grateful for you and our shared ministry. God called me to be a pastor and I have lived a wonderful life in the… Continue Reading→
I talked to the clergy in our district at sub-district meetings recently about being grounded: being told to “ground yourself” before prayer by putting feet on the floor, your shoulders back, and expectantly praying. Several of our witty pastors have pointed out to me that “being grounded” was what happened to them by caring parents… Continue Reading→
Connor Hughes is an outstanding young man: a member of 519church in Cary and recipient of a full scholarship to Appalachian State University, he graduated with a degree in political science and a minor in religious studies in three years. Connor is now a candidate for a Masters in Political Science and needs material for… Continue Reading→
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. – (John 1:5) In the same way, let your light so shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. – (Matthew 5:16) As the Epiphany came and we remembered the light… Continue Reading→
As my daughter said, I got the gift of time this Christmas. More precisely, I received 3 desk calendars as gifts and one wall calendar. The wall calendar is for beauty. Susan and I are blessed with a friend who has been giving them to us for years to share a common love of flower… Continue Reading→
I am enjoying my time with each pastor. They teach me a lot. Gregg Presnal, told me that he and the folks of Hopewell Church were called to be “gracious missionaries.” I’ve pondered that phrase a lot and because I haven’t heard it, that I recall, in years, I’ve re-read some words I remember from… Continue Reading→
I’ve had the pleasure of talking with two people, each conversation and relationship completely independent of the other, in the past few weeks, both of whom were reared in the Orthodox branch of the Christian faith. If you are not familiar with Orthodoxy, their worship services are incredibly rich, symbolic and meant to invoke a… Continue Reading→
Many years ago at Thanksgiving when my son, then teenaged, was watching The Simpsons (we only allowed highly intellectual television viewing), he was captivated by a now very famous scene where the Simpson children are compelled to endure a table grace at Thanksgiving, indeed the Simpson son is forced to offer it. He says, “Thanks… Continue Reading→