Sweet Harmony of Grace in the Congregation

Henry Barrow was a 17th century Puritan pastor imprisoned and eventually executed for his faith. After three years of imprisonment in despicable conditions, having not been outdoors in that time, Anglican officials visited him to convince him of his errors.  Being unsuccessful he bishop quipped that Barrow should enjoy his opportunity for solitude.  In response, …

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Death of Church

Walter Russell Mead has written a strong article on the decline of the mainline church.  Though he is speaking to the mainline, he makes perceptive points that apply to any church.  These are important points worth hearing.  Here are some excerpts: At the deepest level, this involves the sustainability of the church itself….  Religion will …

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The Church – Conduit of the Power of God

Hezekiah Harvey was a prominent Baptist preacher, teacher and author in the 19th century. His comments here on the importance of the church are strikingly relevant today. “The gospel becomes a permanent and aggressive power on earth only through the church, the divinely constituted organization, to which God has committed it, and through which it …

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Should Churches Be as Friendly as a Bar?

Mark Galli has a good article by this title in Christianity Today. He interacts with a recent survey and those fretting over its results which suggest people do not view churches as being as friendly as bars. He raises good questions about the assumptions of those who fret this. He comments: Could it be that …

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