Anxious groups make sometimes make decisions too quickly—the rush to judgment. Or they make decisions too slowly, unable to take a risk of any kind. What’s a leader to do? Remember that not only is anxiety contagious, so is calm.”

“8 Virtues of Rapidly Growing Churches,” by Matt Miofsky and Jason Byassee, shares some of the values and processes found to be common among churches that have significantly grown over a short time period. The authors don’t propose that churches should expect to grow rapidly if they adopt the practices of these churches. They suggest instead that church leaders can learn from the experiences of these churches in ways that may open up new possibilities for their churches.

Is American Christianity oppressive? Many would say a resounding yes. As rhetorical as the question is, we need to address the oppressive nature of American Christianity, by looking at the aspects that shape American Christianity.

Resilience — that’s the Hurricane Maria story that teaches us, so powerfully, about the humanity we all share.

If the church demonstrates healthy relationships, assembles diverse individuals (no matter the background), serves the poor and marginalized, and helps equip its congregants in leadership and discipleship, our communities would reflect hope and positive change. On a micro-level, if we would be bold and become effective in our own spheres of influence, our communities, households, jobs, and schools would be transformed as well.”

If the authors of the Bible got away with not just grieving, not just doubting, but accusing God of leaving them, why do we today equate normal grieving as “taking it hard” and doubts as “a lack of faith”?

Complementarity speaks of “equal but different” ministry roles, recognizing that while women’s equality and worth before God is fully respected, men and women are given different functions of ministry corresponding to an inherent God-given difference in gender. Admittedly, the argument created some ambivalence for me.

The church has the chance to return to the Sunday School Movement to uncover its passion and power to challenge culture and change lives. Returning to the roots of Sunday school compels us to boldness in trying new ways of sharing the gospel, in actions as much as—or even more than—in words.