By Rev. Mark Creech Christian Action League April 7, 2022 It is said that when hymn pollsters report which hymn is most frequently requested, “The Old Rugged Cross” is hands-down the most popular. The author of that hymn, George Bennard, believed the cross wasn’t just a symbol of Christianity, but the very heart of it. […]
Easter
Easter Morning .. Incognito
By Jeff Larson, The Back Pew “Personally I have no more use for a dead Christ than I have for a molten image. The Christ who once did loving deeds and does them no more, who once spoke words of comfort but has been silent for centuries, means nothing to me. It is the Christ […]
Is the Church Dying Out?
By Rev. Mark Creech Christian Action League April 1, 2021 This week the Washington Post reported on a Gallup poll that says church membership has fallen below the majority in America for the first time. In 2020, less than 50% of American adults attend a church, synagogue, or mosque. That’s down by 20 points since […]
The 2020 Socially Distanced Easter
By Jeff Larson, The Back Pew A preacher was visiting with his congregation after the Sunday morning service when a determined-looking woman approached him. Obviously displeased, she said, “Pastor, as a member of the pulpit committee, I was hoping that your sermons would excite our congregation.” The new pastor replied, “You’re right, I did say […]
Are Churches Living Between Easter and Pentecost?
By Rev. Mark CreechChristian Action LeagueApril 10, 2020 American Methodist missionary to India, and global evangelist, E. Stanley Jones, once contended that he thought the church of his day was “living between Easter and Pentecost.” Easter is about the resurrection of Christ. Pentecost was the day the Holy Spirit of God was poured out and […]
Jesus the King: Model for Exemplary Political Leadership
Reflections for Palm Sunday By Rev. Mark H. CreechChristian Action LeagueApril 3. 2020 Most have seen the newsreels of the ticker-tape parades of yesteryear, with the President of the United States, a war hero, or an astronaut as its grand marshal. Even if the footage is black and white, you’re able to catch something of […]