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Essays

Thoughtful personal reflections from a variety of perspectives about issues relevant to Christian leaders

Should your church start a nonprofit?

A successful church program can become a “caged bird” -- constrained by the structure of a single congregation. By starting a separate nonprofit, a congregation can let its programs fly, writes Joy Skjegstad.

By Joy Skjegstad Consultant, speaker, author

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Who is the greatest?

Working in a daycare center made writer Allison Backous wonder: What does it mean to humble yourself like a child?

By Allison Backous Troy Writer and educator

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It's Christmas. Time to break out the Santa figurine.

Holiday traditions, whether time-tested or personal, bring a cyclical certainty to linear time, writes Timothy Larsen.

By Timothy Larsen Professor, Wheaton College

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Stanley Hauerwas: What only the whole church can do

Theologian Stanley Hauerwas discusses the term “leadership” and how he prepares his students to provide it.

Richard J. Mouw: We need more religious zeal, not less

By Richard J. Mouw Professor and former president, Fuller Theological Seminary

James Madison was right to mistrust religious zeal. The wrong kind, that is. What about the right kind?

Will Willimon: Churches can love their denominational heritage and also grow

By Will Willimon Professor of the practice of Christian ministry

Purpose-driven approaches to church growth say we should ditch the denominational label. This is exactly the wrong way to go.

Jason Byassee: Tradition makes for innovation

By Jason Byassee Senior minister, Timothy Eaton Memorial Church, Toronto

The eminent historian of doctrine, Jaroslav Pelikan, praises the Masai Creed for its orthodox and creative description of Jesus.

Lillian Daniel: Advent and Christmas – Can’t We Do Both?

By Lillian Daniel Senior minister, First Congregational Church, Dubuque, Iowa

Is there someone you need to forgive this season? From whom you need forgiveness?

Jason Byassee: Leadership in a bluegrass band and beyond

By Jason Byassee Senior minister, Timothy Eaton Memorial Church, Toronto

Stanley Hauerwas suggested to me music could be a vibrant institution. Charles Pettee shows he’s right.

Chris Blumhofer: Why is John’s last supper so different?

By Chris Blumhofer

Maybe for the same reason Christians ought to be out of step with the unbearable cheerfulness of the Christmas season.