Honor
“Elders who direct the affairs of the church well,” the apostle Paul wrote, “are worthy of double honor” (1 Timothy 5:12). In accord...
47 Ronin
Most countries have stories that highlight the historical values of the nation. Recently, I learned about the Japanese story of the 47...
Schoolhouse 1884
A week ago, six church leaders met at a schoolhouse, built in 1884, in the final stages of restoration. Their aim was to share insights...
Seeds of Faith
by Karah Leaman There is a strange sweet camaraderie among those who find themselves together in the margins. In our German city of...
Surf's Up!
by Les Cool As summer approaches, you may be eager to get to the beach. Envision the pounding surf as a metaphor for this pandemic year....
Zeke
This is the story of Zeke, a hand puppet. This is not a tall tale. It is not made up or exaggerated. It is a true story, one that teaches...
By Faith
In hope, the Millersville (Pa.) BIC Church made the decision to press ahead to full recovery—and people pledged to be active partners in...
In Hope
After an extended season of growth, Millersville (Pa.) Brethren in Christ Church encountered a series of demoralizing setbacks and...
Paul
When we think of underdogs, biblical heroes like David, Gideon, and Moses come to mind. We do not normally think of the apostle Paul as...
Better Together
The multi-site movement, normally associated with larger churches, also creates an option for small and mid-sized churches. Where two (or...
Starr Trek
Week by week, empty nesters Charlie and Martha Starr participate in two churches. They worship in the early service at Cross Roads BIC...
Yellow Roses & Violets
This week Connie and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. It was a good time to reflect on the goodness of the Lord over these many...
Resignation with Integrity
Twelve years ago, David Hall resigned as senior pastor of the Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church (hereafter, EBIC). By reading and...
Mrs. Petruzzeli’s Class
I was a refugee from Africa—born in Monrovia (Liberia), by way of Freetown (Sierra Leone) and Abidjan (Ivory Coast)—who settled initially...
Hard Questions
A flourishing church in southern Lancaster County (Pa.) hit a rough patch. In quick succession, the church lost three pastors, each time...
