Category Archives: bible

Church curriculum resources

In honor of Theological Libraries Month & American Archives Month the library staff at Columbia Theological Seminary sent this helpful list of curricular resources for congregations. These resources are available at the library’s curriculum lab (located in the children’s library). … Continue reading

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Pentecost Prayer 2009

I was asked to offer the Prayers of the People this Pentecost Sunday. At my former church I regularly gave the Pastoral Prayer in the worship service. As a matter of course a pastoral staff member led in that prayer … Continue reading

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A couple of good Bible background reads

Here are a couple of interesting and worth-reading bible background articles from sources you likely would not expect to find such. I think they are both worth the read:

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The one year seminary

Every once is a while (like last month, in fact) I get a call from a church leaders wanting guidance and ideas about creating a mini-seminary in their congregations. While that idea is driven by a desire to make Christian … Continue reading

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The Bible is not a children’s book

One of the things my wife asked for Christmas was the missing volumes to her series of Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, that outrageously (and refreshingly) “dark” children’s books. While many adults enjoy the wry humor in Snicket’s … Continue reading

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Book review: Healing in the New Testament by Pilch

I observe that more congregations are offering “healing services” as part of their ministries. We offered such at my former congregation and every now and then people ask me about it. On those opportunities I stress that it wasn’t a … Continue reading

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Pilgrims, Plymouth Rock, and the KJV

The following is from the book Myths: Fact and Fiction about Teaching and Learning by Israel Galindo. How well do you know fact from fiction? FICTION: The place where the Pilgrims landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620 is marked by … Continue reading

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Birds Named More and Better

Maybe it’s just my imagination, but I think I heard more voices than ever this year suggesting that we consider toning down the cultural excesses of Christmas gift-giving.  We’ve certainly not eliminated gift-giving in my world of family and friends, but … Continue reading

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Christmas Mysteries

Americans love good fiction, says pollster George Barna, which seems to be a peculiar opening sentence for a report on his recent survey of what Americans believe about some familiar Bible stories – – including the virgin birth.  It’s not … Continue reading

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Higher Ground

Although I no longer serve as pastor of a congregation, invitations to preach come my way from time to time.  The latest instance was yesterday when I helped a Presbyterian congregation surprise their pastor with the opportunity to worship among … Continue reading

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