Michelle van Loon

He Kissed The Secret Of His Childhood Sexual Abuse Goodbye

Michelle Van Loon — Fri, 24 May 2013 19:04:56 +0000

Earlier this week, Pastor Josh Harris, pastor of Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, MD, disclosed that he’d been a victim of sexual abuse when he was a child. The timing and context for this confession has something to tell us about the long-lasting effects of abuse in a victim’s life.

Harris’ church was “mother ship” of the network of 80 or so churches churches of Sovereign Grace Ministries, though the congregation left the SGM family a few months ago. SGM was recently the focus of a lawsuit alleging sexual impropriety and a system of coverup lasting many years by some of its key leaders. The lawsuit was dismissed because of a technicality, though the plaintiffs’ lawyers plan to proceed with a civil suit.

Though I’ve never met Harris in person, I’ve followed him since he was a kid via the ministry of his parents [Read moreH]

40+ And The Church / The Connected Have Their Say

Michelle Van Loon — Fri, 24 May 2013 19:02:41 +0000

I’ve received more than 400 responses to date from those over 40 when I queried them about their relationship with the local church, I saw a trend among respondentsaway from the same level of involvement they’d had a decade earlier. I’ve reported on what I was hearing from people who took the survey here, here and here.

However, 28% are just as involved and 25% are more involved in their local church than they were a decade ago. Here’s what a few in this slight majority had to say about why they’ve remained involved. [Read more]

Jet Lag And Gratitude

Michelle Van Loon — Fri, 24 May 2013 19:01:07 +0000

I’ve been awake since 3 a.m., watching CNN’s coverage of the Moore, OK tornado. (Jet lag or midlife? Today, I’m pretty sure it’s the former.) My prayers are with the resilient people of the area, with those who are serving them today and beyond – and most of all, with those who’ve lost cherished loved ones.

This world can be simultaneously dangerous and beautiful. The paradox is palpable for me every time we visit Israel, a land with a history that simultaneously illustrates both realities. [Read more]

Shavuot In Jerusalem

Michelle Van Loon — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:58:39 +0000

Last night as the sun set, Jerusalem silenced herself in the same way she does each Friday night. It is Shavuot (Pentecost), a day set apart to thank God for giving the Law to his pilgrim people at Mt. Sinai after he freed them from slavery in Egypt. Jesus’ disciples headed to Jerusalem as he told them to do just before he ascended to his Father. They would have wanted to be in Jerusalem anyway, as Shavuot is one of three yearly festivals where the Jewish people would have flocked to the Temple bearing offerings – this day, of the first fruits of their crops. They’d been measuring the days from Passover to Shavuot, counting as God had commanded them to do. Thatcounting of days each year had wired expectation into them, and Jesus’ words had ignited the counting, waiting, wondering. [Read more]

Out To The Margins: Peggy White

Michelle Van Loon — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:57:04 +0000

I was introduced to Peggy White by a dear friend at a retreat a couple of years ago. Not long ago, I heard that Peggy retired from her special education teaching position, after earlier stints teaching home economics and working as computer-aided draftsperson. She’d returned to school in order to get her master’s degree in special education, and worked for more than a decade with a multi-grade classroom with students who had a combination of emotional/behavioral disorders, specific learning disabilities, cognitive disabilities and autism. But for Peggy, “Retirement” is another word for “God’s New Teaching Assignment”. [Read more]

Quick Update From Jerusalem

Michelle Van Loon — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:55:12 +0000

My husband and I are in Jerusalem for this week’s board meeting for the Caspari Center. This is our 6th trip to Israel.

We arrived last Thursday, and spend a lovely weekend in Ashdod, grateful to be on the receiving end of some amazing hospitality in a perfect location on the Mediterranean Sea. The weekend was filled with lovely meals and interesting conversation, and was an introduction to a new-to-us part of Israel before we headed to Jerusalem last night. [Read more]

40+ And The Church / A Matter Of Time

Michelle Van Loon — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:53:29 +0000

Three weeks ago, I posted a brief survey querying those over 40 about their experience with the local church. I’ve been sharing results of this survey (here,here and here), and am still collecting responses here if you’re interested in sharing your thoughts. It may not be a very scientific instrument, but the results most definitely call further study and conversation.

One theme that emerged in the responses to my question about why respondents were more, less or just as involved in their local church now versus a decade ago was the issue of time. [Read more]

Review: Troubled Minds

Michelle Van Loon — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:51:50 +0000

I’ve heard some believers say that mental illness can be reduced to a mind-over-matter issue. “If that depressed person would just apply a little Christian elbow grease by memorizing and applying the Word of God, they’d get over it.”

I’ve heard other believers insist that mental illness is always a spiritual issue. “It’s demons. End of story.”

I’m glad to say I’ve also known believers who’ve been caring and faithful friends to those suffering from mental illness. There are many more who want to be, but don’t know how. [Read more]

Out To The Margins: Tim Fall

Michelle Van Loon — Mon, 06 May 2013 17:42:39 +0000

I first “met” Tim Fall when I noticed he was a regular commenter at the Christianity Today Her.meneutics blog. I’m honored to be a contributor at the site. Some of the topics covered by the blog writers have sparked some intense reaction in the comments section. Tim’s words have been consistently encouraging and thoughtful. On occasion, when a commenter has gone a little ad hominem, Tim has graciously challenged the person’s ideas with an eye toward aiming the person back toward the point of the post. [Read more]

40+ And The Church / Beyond Sunday Morning Church Attendance

Michelle Van Loon — Mon, 06 May 2013 03:53:32 +0000