In the last week, you may have heard the phrase “the Benedict Option.” The focus is on Benedictine principles, coined by the Christian commentator Rod Dreher. It is about Alasdair MacIntyre’s assertion in his seminal work, After Virtue. He suggests that during ideological and moral confusion, we need a new Saint Benedict to build communities…
Why Plant Churches Part 2: Worship
What Does a Church Do? There are many ideas prevalent today on what a church should do. Some will say that the church exists for social action, while others say it exists to proclaim the gospel or to worship. All of those are true. However, the church is, by her nature, a worshipping body before…
The Needy Pastor
One of the best pieces of advice I have ever received also left me damaged and wounded, but only for a time. “You come off as needy,” he said, “and people can smell it.” Yes, we all have needs, and none of us is self-sufficient. After the defensiveness wore off, I realized that person was referring…
Anglican Ash Wednesday: Catholic or Reformed?
I want to take you back to the year 1548. It is the year before the very first Book of Common Prayer, and it is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. For many centuries, you and your family came into the church the day before to have your confession heard. On this day, come to receive ashes…
