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. 

Mike Minter of Reston Bible on Why People Leave a Church

Mike Minter leads Reston Bible Church in Dulles, Virginia which is in the Washington, D.C suburbs. Mike discusses why people leave churches. In no part of the video does he discuss issues like sexual, domestic or spiritual abuse. I am deeply disappointed that Mike Minter misses a major reason why people leave a church.

James MacDonald and Harvest Bible Chapel Goes After The Elephant’s Debt Blog Accusing it of Defamation in a Lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court in Chicago, Illinois

James MacDonald and Harvest Bible Chapel file a lawsuit against The Elephant’s Debt which chronicles the abuse of power and financial issues inside Harvest Bible Chapel. This is an overview of James MacDonald, his empire and his scandals. The Wondering Eagle stands in the corner with The Elephant’s Debt during this lawsuit.