#ourCOG Criticism, Conflict, and Beauty in the Midst of Pain (by Michael Palmer)
https://ourcog.org/criticism-conflict-and-beauty-in-the-midst-of-pain-by-michael-palmer-4/

Michael Palmer is one of the many great friends I’ve made on Twitter. If you’ve never had a chance to check out MichaelPalmer.com, you should. It’s pretty awesome. I was teasing him yesterday because his bio highlighted the fact that he loves coffee (which I constantly see in online bios). In response, he changed it being a lover of food. Totally awesome! I love him, and hope you do too. 

While Robin Williams has always been an actor I admire for his work in Dead Poets Society, Patch Adams, Mrs. Doubtfire, Good Will Hunting, and What Dreams May Come, I recently discovered another of his classics: Good Morning, Vietnam.

For those who haven’t seen Good Morning, Vietnam, this film is based around a popular radio personality, Adrian Cronauer (played by Williams), as he’s brou Continue reading Criticism, Conflict, and Beauty in the Midst of Pain (by Michael Palmer) #ourCOG

#ourCOG When Jesus Freaks Are Control Freaks
https://ourcog.org/when-jesus-freaks-are-control-freaks/

There’s just no way around it. If you’ve been part of a small church, you’ve likely experienced those individuals or families who just can’t help themselves—they have to control things.

They might not be in leadership—in fact, they’re often not—but they still seem to steer the organization.

Most of the time they have the best of intentions. Sometimes the influence they wield moves the church in positive directions, but most of the people I’ve talked to have experienced more than one major upheaval or church split based on the impact of these people.

Survey on Church Controllers

Curious about Continue reading When Jesus Freaks Are Control Freaks #ourCOG

#ourCOG Authentic Fire
https://ourcog.org/authentic-fire-4/

Michael Brown’s Authentic Fire, reviewed by John King

Dr. Michael Brown in his work Authentic Fire confronts the misinformation of Pastor John MacArthur’s outspoken zeal against all things charismatic in his book, Strange Fire. While Dr. Brown admits that on some points Dr. MacArthur is right on, his language is radically abusive in tone. And some of Pastor MacArthur’s comments are simply untrue. Brown carefully separates the message from the messenger in addressing charismatic abuse before proceeding to the good stuff: how to burn with authentic fire.

Michael Brown’s Authentic Fire, reviewed by Daniel Snape

Authentic Fire is Dr. Michael Brown’s response to John MacArthur’s bo Continue reading Authentic Fire #ourCOG

#ourCOG Have You Kicked Your Family To the Curb?
https://ourcog.org/have-you-kicked-your-family-to-the-curb/

When you become a believer you belong to a family. Just as sure as you were born into a family, you were born into another family the day you accepted Christ as Lord of your life.

You are in a relationship with Christ that is intimate and therefore, you have a relationship with His family, the church. You and I make up the body of Christ, which is the family of God.

You belong to a group that is changing the world through the power of His resurrection. You are vital to the body of Christ.  You can’t claim to be in the body but not part of the body.

I love what Rick Warren once said, “Whenever we become careless about fellowship, everything else begins to sli Continue reading Have You Kicked Your Family To the Curb? #ourCOG

#ourCOG Rescuing Theology from White European Males
https://ourcog.org/rescuing-theology-from-white-european-males-10/

Do a Google Image Search for the word “theologian,” and you’ll scroll through page after page of white men (punctuated by the occasional non-white Orthodox icon or otherwise out-of-place image). When we think of many of history’s greatest theologians they tend to be white European males. I don’t know why so many of my white male counterparts get so defensive when I bring it up, but they do.

I find it incredibly strange that the Bible, written in large part by marginalized, and often oppressed people would be almost entirely interpreted by their sociological opposites. One has to wonder if South African and India would have had to put u Continue reading Rescuing Theology from White European Males #ourCOG