Tag Archives: church

Worshipping in Captivity

Posted on April 6, 2020 by mitchteemley

Our communion and coffee tray We “did church” at home again yesterday, our new norm for Sundays. We even took communion with ordinary bread and an ordinary cup, temporarily made holy (set apart, dedicated) for the purpose. It was a … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Memoir, Religion and Faith | Tagged , , , , , , | 26 Comments

“Doing Church” at Home

Posted on March 23, 2020 by mitchteemley

Yesterday, my wife and I propped ourselves up on a pew (bed) and tuned into an online worship service. This is how people “do church” in 2020 QA (the Quarantine Age). But it wasn’t new to us. Back in the … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Memoir, Religion and Faith | Tagged , , , , , | 46 Comments

On Earth as It Is in Heaven

Posted on March 9, 2020 by mitchteemley

We’re all a little bit racist. And sexist. And ageist. And dozens of other-things-ist. An ist is simply a bias or leaning, either away from or toward something. We lean toward what we know, and away from what we don’t. … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Memoir | Tagged , , , , , , | 38 Comments

Are Christians Hypocrites?

Posted on December 30, 2019 by mitchteemley

“I don’t go to church because churches are full of hypocrites!” This is an increasingly common sentiment. But is it true? Are churches full of hypocrites? Duh. Are AA meetings full of alcoholics? I’m a Christian, though I rarely use … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Memoir, Quips and Quotes, Religion and Faith | Tagged , , , , | 100 Comments

Only One Life

Posted on June 17, 2019 by mitchteemley

I avoid “Christianese” like the plague. I can speak it fluently, but it’s not my native language. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a bona fide Jesus follower. It’s just that those who speak in code seldom reach anyone but themselves. … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Memoir, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , | 28 Comments

Interest Compounded Eternally?

Posted on July 12, 2018 by mitchteemley

I was raised in a non-religious home and, as a kid, was clueless about God stuff. We used to drive by a non-traditional church building with a neon sign that said, “Jesus saves!” And for years I thought it was … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Memoir, Religion and Faith | Tagged , , , , | 31 Comments

Welcome to Church: No Luggage Required

Posted on May 7, 2018 by mitchteemley

(See video below) I first set foot inside a church (on purpose) on Easter Sunday 42 years ago. I was full of uncertainty. About what I believed. About whether I really wanted to be there. And about how to behave (as I … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Music and Videos, Religion and Faith | Tagged , , , , , | 17 Comments

Finding the Love of Your Life

Posted on February 16, 2018 by mitchteemley

College and Career Night tries too hard. With its lattes and biscotti, and its hip young pastor. Still, he makes you think. And the biscotti melt like magic in the coffee. It’s two nights before Valentine’s Day. Derry pushes a clump … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Religion and Faith, Storytelling | Tagged , , , , , | 25 Comments

The Perfect Church Service

Posted on October 8, 2017 by mitchteemley

“The perfect church service would be one we were almost unaware of; our attention would have been on God.” ~C. S. Lewis

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes, Religion and Faith | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

Church Shooting

Posted on June 18, 2015 by mitchteemley

Nine of my brothers and sisters were murdered at a church prayer meeting in Charleston, South Carolina last night, a cruel reminder that ISIS and Al-Quaeda have no exclusive patent on hatred. And yet… Even while we mourn their loss, … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments