Church – Page 2 – Jared Stacy

Hope For, But Not In, Evangelicalism

I still believe the best days for Evangelicalism are ahead, not behind. But I say this well aware that Evangelicalism in the United States is experiencing a multi-faceted crisis of identity. We cannot reduce God to a movement, but our attempts to do just that are being exposed in the current crisis. So let’s beContinue reading “Hope For, But Not In, Evangelicalism”

Southern Baptists: On the Brink of Reform?

The 2021 annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) was always going to be historic. It promised to reveal the pulse of America’s largest Protestant denomination, as well as offer a preview of post-Trump American evangelicalism. The convention indeed delivered a historic moment. But its future remains uncertain—because the tradition of white American evangelicalismContinue reading “Southern Baptists: On the Brink of Reform?”

Truth From The Dark Places of Church

There’s a line from Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness that I can’t shake. “This also has been one of the dark places of the earth.” The place? London. A place we often forget was once the wild frontier of the ancient Roman Empire. When I left my job as a pastor in the SBC forContinue reading “Truth From The Dark Places of Church”

A Modern Parable for American Evangelicalism

The sports world is still talking about the second title fight between Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston in 1965. In all this, I believe, is a parable of modern American evangelicalism. We are throwing the fight of our generation, choosing power over Christ, and the world can tell. Neil Leifer famously captured Ali, standing overContinue reading “A Modern Parable for American Evangelicalism”

A Series: The Culture Wars

Starting next week, we will be diving into a 4 part series covering the American Culture Wars. I hope you’ll consider subscribing and sharing with anyone in your circles who might benefit from this journey. No doubt many of us have ideas about what “The Culture Wars” are. From Disney boycotts of the 90’s toContinue reading “A Series: The Culture Wars”

Grief, Guns, and Christian Nationalism

I was sickened reading the news coming out of Boulder, Colorado. This just after the violence perpetrated against Asian Americans last week in Atlanta; where we now know the shooter purchased his gun the same day. Today, we are each faced with a decision, one of choosing cynicism & status quo over crying out &Continue reading “Grief, Guns, and Christian Nationalism”

The Corporate Gospel

“It all comes down to the three ‘B’s — buildings, budgets, and butts.” This is an old saying I’ve heard more than a few times in ministry. American business in the American church can sometimes seem inseparable. The relationship between the two absolutely exerts influence over faith & practice. Is the Church a business? AContinue reading “The Corporate Gospel”

The Danger of a Co-Opted Christ

It was the summer of 2020. I was gathering with local pastors, for prayer and reflection. The day before, President Trump had taken his now infamous picture outside St. John’s Church holding up a Bible, ironically upside down. Seeing that image, for me, was sickening, and one of many signposts pointing the way out ofContinue reading “The Danger of a Co-Opted Christ”

5 Great Quotes: MLK Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) was a pastor, scholar, and pioneering activist. His life was given to the work of American Civil Rights and racial reconciliation in the American church. He was dedicated to the way of nonviolent agitation as a means to bring about justice & change. (On MLK Jr. Day, so many quotesContinue reading “5 Great Quotes: MLK Jr.”