The Pastor's Perspective

  When you think about your church, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Is it the style of the music, the quality of the coffee, the programs for your kids, or perhaps the social circle you’ve built there?     I must confess when I was in basic training for the army I looked for a church that served the best junk food or had the longest service. I did that so I could get away from the drill sergeants for just a little bit and eat a donut or two without my drill sergeant noticing.        In our modern world, churches can easily become "lifestyle hubs." We look for a place that fits our schedule, matches our political leanings, or provides the best "performance" on a Sunday morning.      However, there is a subtle danger in this: we can become so focused on the features of the church that we forget the Foundation .      Historical data suggests this isn't just a "feeling." According to a 2024 study by the...

          I believe that e very good cook always has a taste of the meal they are preparing. I have been known to dabble in the kitchen and I know that has been my experience for sure. Before the meal is set out on the table, the cook tends to take a little bite of the food that has been prepared. This happens for me every Thanksgiving meal. Just before the turkey is presented, I might take a bite when no one is looking.     When we do this it gets us excited for what is to come. We get just a little taste of the meal we are about to chow down on. It prepares our taste buds and leaves us with an expectant urgency for the meal to come soon.       I think that t his is how it should be when we think about our church services as well. When we think about church services we should think of it as just a little taste of what's to come. The experiences we have as we gather together in church should wet our appetite to what we will one...

     Idol worship  When you hear the word "idol," what comes to your mind? I think for most people when we hear the word idol we think of ancient statues in faraway lands, or rituals from a bygone era.  Certainly there are places in the world today that have statues that people worship. Even in America there are people who's religion involves offering sacrifices or offerings to some sort of sculpted image.     However for many of us especially in the Western societies when we hear the word Idol we  often think, "That's not me. I don't bow down to carved images."  The average person in the United States does not have shrine where they offers prayers towards a wooden object. So many times when we hear the word Idol we are quickly dismissive and think this has nothing to with me.      But what if I told you that idolatry is far more subtle, and far more pervasive, than we often imagine? What if I told you that some idols are not a...

    The Grace Reformed church in Washington D.C. had been the home church for president Theodore Roosevelt and he had attended quite regularly when he happened to be in town.      One day someone called the church and asked the pastor a interesting question that the pastor had never received before. The question was asked "Are you expecting the President in the church this Sunday?"      The pastor replied "I cannot promise, but we do expect God to be there and we hope that will be incentive enough for a reasonably large audience."     As a pastor myself I have to say that I approve of his answer.      Sometimes in our Christian lives we can often forget that the reason why we go to church is to draw closer to God. We sometimes forget the true meaning and purpose behind why we attend. We sometimes can lose sight on what real worship is. We like this man's question, can focus on who is going to be in the service. Or we can f...