Michael Passons Reveals How he Was Forced Out of Christian Contemporary’s Avalon in 2003 for Being Gay

Michael Passons who founded the successful Christian contemporary music group Avalon shared how he was forced out in 2003 for being gay. Some members from Avalon who forced his hand set him on a journey where Michael discuses how be blamed himself and dealt with PTSD.  I saw Avalon several times when I was younger and listened to them when I was in the Christian music scene. This post would like to ask, why do some evangelicals feel so threatened by gays and where is the issue of empathy and compassion?

How Far is This Bon Jovi Stage Performance From Modern Evangelical Worship?

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The other night I was listening to YouTube and I watched a Bon Jovi performance on stage. It got me to ask the question how far was this concern performance from modern evangelical worship? The only thing that was missing is the smoke machine but otherwise it wasn’t far off from what I have experienced in past evangelical settings. 

Michael W. Smith on the COVID-19 Pandemic

Michael W. Smith released a message through YouTube about the COVID-19 pandemic. He challenged the church to rise to the occasion and get out of their comfort zone. This blog has to tell the Christian musician something. First the evangelical church will fail like it usually does. And second “comfort zone” puts a lot of people in knots. But on a positive this blog is grateful that Smitty encouraged social distancing.

The Last Time I Traveled to Judson College

Brief reflection on the last time I attended Judson College for a Rebecca St. James convert in November of 2000. In the process of driving from Milwaukee to Elgin we hit a blizzard and plowed through being the determined individuals we were. Now it looks like it is going to be snowing again except this time I am traveling from Washington, D.C. 

The Sovereign Grace Child Sex Abuse Scandal and Bob Kauflin. Considering Legacy and Death and How Will He Be Remembered?

Bob Kauflin has been one of the strongest supporters of C.J. Mahaney. When the Sovereign Grace child sex abuse scandal broke it was Kauflin who defended Mahaney and moved to Louisville, Kentucky to support the embattled and corrupt minster. This blog would like to raise a question, what will Bob Kauflin’s legacy be? When he is in hospice one day and the Kauflin children are working on his obituary how will be be remembered in light of the Sovereign Grace Ministry scandal? 

CNN Looks at the Issues within Christian Contemporary Music and Explores the Culture

Recently CNN had an article that looked at the issues inside the Christian contemporary music industry. This is a result of evangelicals increased engagement in politics. A few years ago I don’t think CNN would do such an article. It probes the culture and the problems inside the industry.   

Nicole Nordeman Writes an Open Letter to Franklin Graham in The Washington Post

During the border crisis on the United States and Mexico Christian artist Nicole Nordeman wrote an open letter to Franklin Graham. In it she pleads with Franklin to have Donald Trump intervene in the situation and help neglected children. I was surprised to see it in the newspaper and wanted to do a brief post.

Hillsong Worship Leader Marty Sampson and Considering Evangelical Christian Culture and Doubt

Former Hillsong worship leader Marty Sampson explained on Instagram that he is going through a faith crisis. As usual some of the vultures are circling in the sky waiting to devour their prey. This is a brief post on doubt and evangelical culture. This, along with the Josh Harris story shows that evangelicalism is not sustainable in its current context. 

The Vertical Leadership Cohort Illustrates the Evangelical Industrial Complex. Plus Why is Luke MacDonald Teaching/Coaching?

Vertical is offering a Leadership Cohort that is being held at Harvest Bible Chapel Elgin. The cohort takes place four times a year. Its half way to being completed. What is troubling is that Luke MacDonald is one of the coaches in the cohort. Why is he teaching after the Harvest Bible Chapel scandal still unfolds? Better yet why this Worship Cohort by Harvest as this scandal continues to unfold? Harvest is in no condition to teach people about worship. 

When Religion is as Destructive as Alcoholism or Drug Addiction

This is an article that reflects on an older post from Mike Anderson who led The Resurgence at Mars Hill in Seattle. What do you do when religion leads you to places that are dark and to behaviors just as destructive as alcoholism or drug addiction? This also reflects on what I have seen in my own life.