Category Archives: Sacraments

My Journey (4): First Communion

I will always remember several things about the church building that I worshiped in while I was growing up in Lebanon at First Baptist Church. First, I remember that the sanctuary seemed so large to me as a child when it … Continue reading

Posted in Discipleship, Personal, Sacraments, Spirituality, The Church | 1 Comment

Should the Church Gather for the Unchurched?

When I was in Phoenix in Arizona I met Rev. Matthew Marino. Matt is the Episcopal Canon of Arizona for Youth and Adult Ministries. He serves out of the diocesan office in Phoenix, where we met for the first time … Continue reading

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I Am the Bread of Life

One of the most transforming passages in the whole of Scripture is John 6. I have lived here for several years. There is no way for me to adequately explain how this text has worked its way into my soul … Continue reading

Posted in Jesus, Sacraments, The Church | 9 Comments

“A Bible and a Radio, But No Church”

One of the leading evangelical and ecumenical theologians of our time is Thomas C. Oden. Tom turned 80 last fall and continues to write magnificent works that serve the wider catholic community. He has provided the church with a fresh … Continue reading

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A Reformed Liturgy for Communion

I am often amazed at just how little some Christians understand their own church and the theology that church affirms. This is particularly true with regard to the understanding many in the Reformed churches have of communion. Very few Reformed … Continue reading

Posted in Reformed Christianity, Sacraments, The Church | 3 Comments

Who Gets Into Heaven?

I wrote yesterday about a recent experience of sharing my vision of unity with a large group of conservative Protestant leaders in Chicago. Some were very positive. A few reacted not so positively. The flash point became whether or not … Continue reading

Posted in Missional-Ecumenism, Roman Catholicism, Sacraments, Unity of the Church | 4 Comments

We Are All Part of the One Loaf

I am particularly interested in the metaphors and images the New Testament uses to show us exactly how the church is one. I confess I have previously paid too little attention to 1 Corinthians 10:17. “Because there is one loaf, … Continue reading

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The Passing of the Peace

When I began to understand ancient liturgical practice some years ago one of the more beautiful discoveries was “The Passing of the Peace.” I had never heard the term until I was introduced to the practice in a liturgical context. … Continue reading

Posted in Liturgy, Sacraments, Unity of the Church | 1 Comment

Why I Changed My View on Infant Baptism

A few months ago a friend, who had been a Baptist and then became a Presbyterian, asked me for a short answer as to why and how I had changed my view of baptism (which had been the view that … Continue reading

Posted in Sacraments, The Church | 9 Comments

Reflections on a First Communion Service

A few weeks ago my wife and I witnessed a very moving first communion service at our local Lutheran congregation. I am not a Lutheran by denomination but my Reformed Church congregation is quite far away from home. As an … Continue reading

Posted in American Evangelicalism, Church Tradition, Sacraments | 1 Comment