Church Be Damned? The Case for & Against Community
We crave freedom from others — until isolation exposes our need for them. The myth of independence tells us we’ll find truth alone, but our souls were made for relationship. Church, at its best, isn’t conformity but communion — imperfect people mirroring a perfect God. Heaven isn’t just me or you; it’s us, together, learning again how to belong.
All of Us Here
In a circle of strangers, I said what I had never said before: “I want to feel like I can do nothing and still be loved.” And when they wrapped their arms around me and whispered “I love you,” I felt it — not just from them, but from God. “You belong,” the Father said. And in that moment, I finally believed him.
A New Kind of Life
Love, at its deepest, always costs something. It’s not just sentiment—it’s sacrifice, presence and patience. We discover this not just in marriage or parenting, but in ordinary, daily encounters with neighbors and friends. The “frets and rubs” of life, as C.S. Lewis called them, are part of how God shapes us — how he teaches us to love like he does. And that’s the beginning of a new kind of life.
Destination: Saint Patrick's Cathedral
St. Patrick’s continues to be the spiritual center of New York and the United States. It has become the place where people come to pray, mourn and celebrate God in a setting that honors Him in a way few others do.
Bible Study And Church Attendance May Stem Loneliness
A new study highlights the power of Scripture and church attendance in combating loneliness, an epidemic likened to smoking 15 cigarettes a day in its toll on health. Those engaged with the Bible or attending church weekly report dramatically lower loneliness rates. With forgiveness and meaningful connections at its core, faith offers a tangible antidote to isolation, inviting a deeper sense of belonging and community in a disconnected world.
Election 2024: Let’s Show a Little More Love
As Election 2024 stirs up passionate divides, a grounded reminder surfaces: those with opposing views are still our neighbors, our friends and part of our shared community. In a season often clouded by hostility, there’s strength in choosing kindness over bitterness. What if a little more kindness — and a little less bitterness — could keep us grounded and united, no matter the election’s outcome?
The Book Of Ruth Is A Romance — And So Much More
The story of Ruth and Boaz shows how every small act of love or kindness can spark a ripple effect. Their compassion and loyalty didn’t just change their lives — it set the stage for the lineage of King David and, ultimately, Jesus. Ruth and Boaz' story is an invitation for us to reflect on our own actions, however small, and how they just might create a lasting impact across generations.
In Quitting Church, We Give Up More Than We Think
It is difficult — really, next to impossible — to practice Christianity effectively without becoming (and staying) an active member of a local church congregation. Private spirituality is vital, of course, and underpins the communal life of any religious group. Hats off to the desert fathers, those legendary hermits of yore. Still, faith is mainly a team sport.
AI’s Future Impact On The Church
A sense of unease begins to take root. Interactions feel hollow, conversations lack depth and relationships become superficial and transactional. The more we rely on AI, the more we find ourselves yearning for something it cannot provide: authenticity, meaning and opportunities to connect on a fundamentally human level. This is where the church reenters the scene, not as a relic of the past, but as a symbol of the present, a sanctuary of authenticity. At this tipping point of artificiality and superficiality, people start craving transcendent values that algorithms cannot encode.
Community: The Ones Who Come
We are meant to be together, to do life together, to be united with God and our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.
The People We Pass
More than money and opportunity, the people in our lives — our family, friends, colleagues, even our casual acquaintances — are among the most precious gifts God will ever give us. Do you know that?
Do You Know Housefires?
Housefires, the musical collective founded by Pat Barrett and Matt Reynolds in 2014, redefined worship with their raw, community-centered approach that strips away the "bells and whistles" for intimate encounters with God.
Why Don’t We Talk More About Loneliness?
Loneliness is not necessarily a state of depravity that requires a cure. Loneliness is not a sin or a weakness, even if the surgeon general calls it a disease. The eradication of loneliness is not always necessary or possible — or even desirable. Indeed, there is much to be learned from loneliness: companionship, prophecy, solidarity, fun and freedom — even creativity.
Fix America’s Woes? Know your neighbors
Seth Kaplan, researcher at Johns Hopkins who studies fragile states around the world, argues that rebuilding social capital—including faith congregations—can address social problems.
The Rabbit Room Nourishes Community
In an increasingly divided culture, even within the church, the Rabbit Room was created to build and nourish stronger Christ-centered communities by cultivating stories, music and art.