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Progressive Christian

Challenging the Church

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March 2024

March 28, 2024

Tipping Your Church’s Sacred Cows While Avoiding Cow Pies

Cow tipping at church can be fun. Here’s how to tip sacred cows while avoiding...

March 21, 2024

Preaching Jesus on Other Planets (And Earth, Too)

What would Christianity look like on a different planet? How can we determine which truths...

February 2024

February 29, 2024

An Open Letter to Pastors: Child Sacrifice on Church Altars

Pastors with children of their own may be sacrificing them to a false god, without...

February 26, 2024

I’m Calling You Out! – Gunfighter Etiquette for Christians

“Sheriff, I’m calling you out!” shouts the black-hatted cowboy, striding through the saloon door. Sounds...

February 14, 2024

What Does the Bible Say About Random Acts of Kindness?

February 17 is Random Acts of Kindness Day. Here's what the Bible says about random...

February 08, 2024

A Jesus Juke is No Joke! How Not to Be an Annoying Christian

Nobody likes a Jesus juke—except the jokers who juke the juked. "What’s a Jesus Juke?"...

February 05, 2024

The Church Needs Humble Pastors—Not Humiliated Ones

“Our church believes in keeping the pastor humble,” said the deacon, regarding my poverty-level salary....

January 2024

January 12, 2024

World Religion Day: Why Outreach Shouldn’t Mean Evangelism

World Religion Day is on its way. How should (or shouldn't) your faith group reach...

January 08, 2024

Youth Evangelism Gone Wrong: A Confession of Spiritual Abuse

At an Evangelical summer camp, we used harsh tactics to get the kids saved, by...

January 04, 2024

Spiritual Abuse: Eternal Salvation by Any Means Necessary

A few months ago, my daughter told me that she experienced spiritual abuse in some...

December 2023

December 24, 2023

How Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Got Me in Trouble

It's that time of year, when Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit...

December 04, 2023

Stop Dehumanizing and Demonizing Your Enemies!

In a world fractured by war, let’s bring “peace on earth, goodwill to humanity.” Let's...

November 2023

November 20, 2023

Is Opposing Israeli’s War in Gaza Antisemitic?

“Antisemitism”—You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it...

November 13, 2023

How are Gazans Counterparts to Native Americans?

Today, most acknowledge the crimes against Indigenous people as genocide. In this way, Gazans are...

November 06, 2023

Dressed to Impress: Who Do You Think You’re Fooling?

At church, it's easy to confuse dressing to impress people, with dressing to please God....

November 02, 2023

Does God Care What I Wear to Church?

Does God care what I wear to church? When I get ready on Sundays, should...

October 2023

October 15, 2023

Cussing, Swearing, & Cursing: Do Words Really Matter?

What is the difference between cussing, swearing, and cursing? Beyond corrupt speech, do we really...

September 2023

September 22, 2023

Worship Services, Or Service-Worship?

Sure, your church has worship services. But does it have service-worship? Here’s how your congregation...

August 2023

August 31, 2023

Bed Bath and the Great Beyond: What Can Dying Churches Learn?

Bed Bath and Beyond has gone to the Hereafter. But is there an afterlife for...

August 24, 2023

Female Pastors Aren’t the “Husband of One Wife.” So…?

If the SBC excludes women from ministry, it will need to expel everyone! 1 Timothy...

August 11, 2023

How to be a Giveasheetmotherfather

"You're a real giveasheetmotherfather," said my client, Dave. (Although, that’s not his real name and...

August 01, 2023

Jesus and Melchizedek: Christ in Another Religion

Is it possible to find Christ in another religion? The author of Hebrews says the...

July 2023

July 20, 2023

How Should the Church Include Intersex People?

Without meaning to, the Church often excludes intersex people. Here’s what one hurting commenter said...

June 2023

June 29, 2023

A Letter to the SBC, Regarding Female Pastors

A former Southern Baptist Pastor congratulates the SBC for its decision against female pastors. (Wink,...

June 22, 2023

The Ethiopian Eunuch and Transgender, Intersex, & Asexual Folks

The story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch demonstrates how the Church should welcome and...

June 19, 2023

When Did Jesus Mention Transgender, Intersex, and Asexual Folks?

When did Jesus mention transgender, intersex, and asexual folks? Let's see what he had to...

June 05, 2023

“Should You Be Loyal to Your Church?”

Loyalty is a virtue in many relationships. Let’s look at different types of loyalties and...

May 2023

May 05, 2023

What If the Church Valued Diversity?

What if the Church valued diversity and welcomed differences instead of feeling threatened by them?...

April 2023

April 27, 2023

What if the Church Focused on Justice Instead of Just-Us?

What if the Church focused on justice instead of "just-us" that insists on conformity, selfishness,...

April 10, 2023

What if the Church Cared More About Serving Than Deserving?

In church, you can either serve or deserve. You can't do both. Leaders who put...