ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS November 14, 2025 James Fowler is still considered the guru of faith development, even though he died ten years ago. He was a professor at Emory University in Atlanta. For Fowler, there were six stages in faith development, plus a “pre-stage,” which is birth to two years old. In that pre-stage, children are learning trust, love, and hope—ideas that will be central to the development that
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS November 13, 2025 So yesterday, I was standing next to someone who said, “Tomorrow is Friday the 13th!” There was definitely some spookiness in her voice. The third person standing there said, “No, it’s not! It’s Thursday the 13th.” The person who had originally messed it up looked a little confused, and then realizing her mistake, said somewhat jokingly, “Well, that’s even worse.” In that little
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS November 12, 2025 A few years ago, I encountered a young person who asked me if Jesus had bad breath. Before I could respond, one of the adults in the room intervened with a bit of indignation, asserting, “The Son of God does not have bad breath.” What transpired next almost felt like a comedy sketch from a late-night TV show. First, there is no Biblical
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS November 11, 2025 A political advisor by the name of Del Bigtree said in the last couple of days, “God is an anti-vaxxer, and he needs you to speak up.” Now, without allowing my emotion to burst forth in a mix of laughter and rage, let me address the theological claim. Anytime someone says, “God is…,” they are making a pretty strong statement, yet one that
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS November 10, 2025 Prayer for the Week: For all the good work being done in your name, O Merciful God, we shout: Thank you! For all the acts of kindness that reflect your heart, we sing songs of thanksgiving. For all the expressions of generosity that change lives, we celebrate you, Lord God, as the Source. At a time when the world appears consumed by selfishness
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS November 9, 2025 As I have been meeting with the Board and Staff of the Christian Church Foundation, I must confess feeling a bit awestruck by these folks—smart, talented, insightful, and often raising good questions about things that slid right past me. At one point in the meeting, I was sitting next to Matt Rosine, the President of CCF, and I said, “You have surrounded yourself
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS November 8, 2025 I am currently in Tulsa, OK, for the Christian Church Foundation Board Meeting. Yesterday afternoon, I went back to my hotel room during a break, and I flipped on the TV. It was the last 10 minutes of the 2012 movie, “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” and I caught the famous line: “Everything will be alright in the end. If it’s not alright,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS November 6, 2025 So yesterday, I was driving through Oklahoma City, on my way to a Board Meeting of the Christian Church Foundation. On the outskirts of OKC, I noticed a billboard that said, “Jolly Goat Garage Doors.” I did a double take as I initially thought I might have misread the sign. Upon arriving at my hotel, I looked it up, and that is exactly
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS November 5, 2025 Have you ever thought about the gap between what is easily forgiven and what you find nearly impossible to forgive? To be honest, I had not really pondered it before, yet a few weeks back, I was listening to a podcast and something the person said raised that question in my head. It wasn’t really what was being discussed. However, it chased (or
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS November 3, 2025 Because of the way we do worship, with me running between services, I have not actually participated in the naming of the Saints in worship for five or six years. Though each year, I take the time to watch both services, specifically listening to the names that are spoken. Even though it is hours after the fact, I find it very emotional. There