The Methodists made such an impact on their nation that in 1962 historian Élie Halévy theorized that the Wesleyan revival created England's middle class and saved England from the kind of bloody revolution that crippled France.
Read moreGuy says, "Somehow, during these confusing times, God lovingly came for me. He sent Godly men who loved me in spite of who I had become. They were not judgmental in their attitudes and saw my sin as equal to any other sin. In them I saw God's love and compassion and made the decision to repent and quit this lifestyle forever. I didn't leave homosexuality because it was so terrible, because it did satisfy many needs in my life.
Read moreRoger spent decades serving Christ by planting churches on four continents. But after reflecting on his labors for the kingdom of God, his confession surprised many of us. "I've given most of my energy to a second-rate mission as well," he said. "Don't get me wrong. Church planting is important. But someday that mission will end. My first calling is to live with God. That must be my first commitment."
Read more“It’s always been kind of an interesting religious connection,” Dale says. “Manuel’s Tavern even has two clergy parking spots, originally created for the Cardinal who frequented the Tavern before he died.”
Read moreThe trends that follow were not created in a vacuum. Most of the information is based on studies we have done at LifeWay Research. But much of this research provides us information and facts about today's realities. It does not offer certitude for future trends.
The process is analogous to weather forecasting. We can see all the ingredients that will likely cause a specific outcome. But those factors can change, so we can never say that we are 100 percent certain.
Read moreHow did Jesus live as a son of Israel? Did he create a separate and competing community from the one that was already there? Did he tell people to leave their synagogues? Did he start his own synagogues? Didn't he seek to bring transformation and new life to the community that was already there?
Read moreRAVENEL, SC---Stan Winder was disabled and had to use either a wheelchair or a walker for many years. While reading the Bible in bed on Palm Sunday, he heard "get up." He brushed it off. Again, he heard the voice in his head which he took to be coming from God saying "Get up now or lose this opportunity." He did and to his amazement he could walk and run. He is now the picture of health. His doctor can't explain it.
"Get up and walk."
Read moreWhile personal experience can be helpful, social science research forces us to look beyond our circle of acquaintances to see what is going on in the whole church.
Read moreTHE GOSPEL: I'm accepted-therefore I obey.
RELIGION: Motivation is based on fear and insecurity.
THE GOSPEL: Motivation is based on grateful joy.
RELIGION: I obey God in order to get things from God.
THE GOSPEL: I obey God to get to God-to delight and resemble Him.
Read moreThe Rev. Andrew S. Rollins uses "Lunch with C.S. Lewis" to make some of the grand concepts of Christianity - the goodness of God, suffering, heaven and hell - accessible to an audience not limited to scholars.
"This is not a stealth confirmation class. I'm not out to make you an Episcopalian," said Rollins, who has been chaplain at St. Alban's Chapel since 2004. Audio from some of the sessions is available on the chapel's website.
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