Category Archives: Ministry

A Rant from a Loser in the Worship Wars

Posted on March 7, 2011 by Darrell Pursiful

Robert Webber used to paraphrase the ancient dictum lex orandi lex credendi (“the rule of prayer/worship is the rule of faith) as, “You show me how you worship and I’ll tell you what you believe.” I think Chaplain Mike of … Continue reading →

Posted in Church Music, Ministry, Praying Together | 1 Comment

The Quest for “Relevance” Makes a Church Irrelevant

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Darrell Pursiful

Jim Somerville has reposted a WSJ article by Brett McCracken that all serious church leaders ought to read—especially if they are concerned about reaching the notoriously hard-to-reach twentysomething age group: If the evangelical Christian leadership thinks that “cool Christianity” is … Continue reading →

Posted in Ministry | 2 Comments

Just Because You’re a Shepherd Doesn’t Mean You Own Any Sheep

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Darrell Pursiful

Food for thought for pastors everywhere. Related: Why Was David Tending the Sheep? Share this: Digg this postRecommend on FacebookTweet about itSubscribe to the comments on this postTell a friend

Posted in Bible, Ministry | Leave a comment

Sounds Like a Devilishly Interesting Book

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Darrell Pursiful

Exorcism and Deliverance: Multi-Disciplinary Studies Share this: Digg this postRecommend on FacebookTweet about itSubscribe to the comments on this postTell a friend

Posted in Ministry, Theology, Wealth of Egypt | Leave a comment

Happy Birthday, Baby Long!

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Darrell Pursiful

Congratulations on fine-tuning some of your Mama’s theology. It’s one of a baby’s most important assignments. Share this: Digg this postRecommend on FacebookTweet about itSubscribe to the comments on this postTell a friend

Posted in Life as Prayer, Ministry, Theology | Leave a comment

Speaking of Birth, Death, and Liminality

Posted on January 19, 2011 by Darrell Pursiful

I’m pondering this bit of wisdom from Jeanie Miley: That connection between what Ernest Becker has written in his classic The Denial of Death and the fear of life now startles me and always makes me go back and chew … Continue reading →

Posted in Life as Prayer, Ministry | Leave a comment

Not Pretty, but Truthful

Posted on December 31, 2010 by Darrell Pursiful

What should a preacher sound like? Michael Ruffin suggests he or she might want to embrace Bob Dylan as a model. Share this: Digg this postRecommend on FacebookTweet about itSubscribe to the comments on this postTell a friend

Posted in Ministry | 2 Comments

Why We Suck at Evangelism

Posted on October 22, 2010 by Darrell Pursiful

A heartfelt cri de coeur from a mainline pastor: We Lutherans have a major problem with evangelism. This has been really bothering me as of late, so in true Lutheran fashion, I offer the following theses as to why we … Continue reading →

Posted in Ministry | Leave a comment

Lunceford: Fundamentalist Distortion of Scripture Regarding Women’s Roles

Posted on July 29, 2010 by Darrell Pursiful

My, Georgetown College has some cheeky profs! I have observed through the years that those who use the proof-texting approach and take the texts literally are highly selective in what they take. A seminary classmate of mine related a story … Continue reading →

Posted in Ministry, New Testament | 1 Comment

My Church Isn’t “Manly,” and I Like It That Way

Posted on July 26, 2010 by Darrell Pursiful

I’m afraid to click on the link at Ben Myers’s Faith and Theology blog for the “MAN CHURCH.” It’s enough for me to know that these people, whoever they are, are trying to create church the way a man expects … Continue reading →

Posted in +Fellowship, Ministry, Theology | 4 Comments