Description

Despite herself, the Church continues to carry the light it is not worthy to carry. Despite herself, the Church continues to offer mercy in a world often bent on defying it. In this issue, we look into her life, where it has been and where it is going.

We have an interview with Molly Worthen about the history of American evangelicalism and its relationship with modernity. We speak with Dr. Rodney Stark about the purported “decline” of worldwide religious belief. We have essays on the Benedict Option and the perfect sermon; the church according to N.W.A., and the church according to the apocalypse. We have a sermon from Nadia Bolz-Weber and some amazing poems, too. And that’s certainly not all.

Contents

Straight Outta Corinth: What the Church Can Learn from N.W.A. by JACOB SMITH

For the Record: The Bride of Christ Goes to Hollywood

Church of the Deconstruction by ETHAN RICHARDSON

Of Course
A Poem by PAUL HOSTOVSKY

Raising My Hand in Church by ERIC HANSON

Culture Wars, Religious Identity, and Authority Problems in the American Church
An Interview with MOLLY WORTHEN

For the Record: Great Church Reads, How to Shrink Your Church

A Splendid Failure: A Preacher’s Guide to the Pulpit by PAUL WALKER

In the Church of All the Answers
A Poem by NINA FORSYTHE

The League of the Guilty Explores the Benedict Option by DAVID ZAHL

The Good News
A Poem by PAUL HOSTOVSKY

For the Record: 5 Non-Embarrassing Church Songs

Church Shopping in the Apocalypse by C.J. GREEN

For the Record: 13 Bloopers in Pastoral Care

America’s Changing Religious Landscape?
A Q & A with RODNEY STARK

The Kyrie, Peter’s Own Smell of Shame, and the God of Easter
A Sermon by NADIA BOLZ-WEBER