There has been a (welcome) shift in many corners of Evangelicalism in recent years toward story-shaped preaching and teaching. Many pastors and writers have discovered that three alliterative points have more to do with activating short-term memory than engaging spiritual imagination and motivating long-term growth. Dr. Larry Crabb understands this shift. His rich teaching and…

Our youngest son Jacob, 23, regularly surprises us as he’ll offhandedly recount a little snippet of a childhood memory. He remembers the shape of trees, the location of a neighborhood kid war, the texture of food on a plate. I’ve long since forgotten the details that are vivid brushstrokes inside of him. He’s an artist…

About as long as I can remember, the fall, winter and spring seasons have been punctuated by fairly predictable bouts of bronchitis/sinus infections, usually at least two doozies a year. This week, like clockwork, a sinus infection ambushed me, and even the twice-a-day doses of unpleasant antibiotics didn’t work much magic on the misery. When…

“They’re all here to hear John Ortberg, don’t you think?” a first-time attendee at this morning’s Catalyst Lake County “Bonfire” gathering wondered aloud. Warm conversation filled the room as 400+ congregational leaders, community builders, non-profit heads and church champions representing over 75 churches from Lake County, IL (and beyond) spent the morning talking, laughing, weeping,…

The recent news that a child’s death has been blamed on the parents’ adherence to the extreme fundy teachings of Michael and Debi Pearl made me think about the bombastic, insistent voices claiming to offer the perfect formula for not only raising children, but living a godly life. (As if a holy life was a…

When I first came to faith in Christ, Bible study tools were like comprehension drills: “For God so ____ the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Though they were the spiritual equivalent of busywork, like those SRA boxes…