I think the church has become “drunk with the wine of the world” in looking at and trying to emulate other churches and denominations who are bigger, flashier, more hip, and therefore are at great risk of losing our sense of covenantal values.
Category: Sermons
Caution: Bringing Blessing May Cause Chaos
Yes, the blessings of God are abundant, far more abundant than we usually give God credit for, but they also bring complexity, challenges, and chaos into our lives. But Mary doesn’t simply “get it,” she names it with exquisite clarity and painful honesty. The question is therefore not whether or not an abundant life is also chaotic, but rather how we will understand and respond to that chaos.
Upending Empire By Taking A Nap
My position is that if the Church, which has as a fundamental value the concept of sabbath rest, cannot be in the forefront of proclaiming rest as sacred and naps as a form of resistance to injustice then we have failed our divine duty to be a place of counterculture holy work and should close up shop immediately.
More Colors, More Letters, More And More Grace
Sermon for A Worship Service Of Affirmation For LGBTQIA+ Persons Central Christian Church, New Albany, Indiana hosted the ecumenical Pride History Month Worship Service Saturday, October 22, 2022 – “A World Full Of Color!” Scripture: Isaiah 56:1-8 & 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 By The Rev. Allen V. Harris, Regional Pastor & President, Christian Church in Ohio I… Continue reading More Colors, More Letters, More And More Grace
When God’s Work Just Doesn’t Fit With Ours
"But in my almost 30 years in local church ministry and now my 6 ½ years in Regional Ministry I have come to understand the biblical challenge for adaptation, growth, innovation, creativity, and – yes – change is not simply a helpful aspect or nice facet of church life, it has got to be central to our faith, as fundamental as mission and outreach, Christian education, visitation and pastoral care, and weekly communion are. The need to not simply allow for new and imaginative ways of living our faith in community but to integrate it at every single level of our church’s life has become imperative. And not only do we need to be completely comfortable with change, but we need to do a lot of it and do it fast." ~Rev. Allen V. Harris
Living Thoughtfully & Loving Meaningfully 