Arbutus Church of the Brethren

Why we will no longer be a welcoming church

We’ve decided to quit being a welcoming church. No kidding. We’re giving it up. Like so many congregations, we’ve sunk an amazing amount of time and energy into becoming a welcoming church. We changed worship styles, trained greeters and ushers, wore name tags, brewed coffee, went to workshops on hospitality and put our friendliest people …

Why Homosexuality Is Not Like Other Sins

Homosexuality is not the only sin prohibited in the Bible, but it is different from all the rest, at least right now. And we have really good news for homosexuals.

What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality

There is a lot of unnecessary confusion about what the Bible is really saying about homosexuality. Dr. Michael Brown offers five key scriptural truths that dismantle the modern-day argument that God's Word condones the homosexual ...

Should the Church Be Welcoming to Homosexuality?

Should the church be welcoming to practicing homosexuals? The answer depends on how you define the term "welcoming."

Why an Unfriendly Small Church Is Worse than an Unfriendly Big Church

Walking into a small church for the first time can be an act of great vulnerability.

What You Need to Know Before Joining a Church

Before we attend a church, we should know that it is a legitimate church. Now, obviously, if the sign on the front of the church reads “Church of Satan,” we know it isn’t a legitimate body of Christian believers.

His pew or hers? Woman concerned about man she met in church

Q: I met a nice guy at church of all places, and he's invited me out. I'm excited but nervous. Do I stay at his house or let him come to mine? It's been a while.

“Does the Christian church need different denominations?”

Where Can Women Teach? Eight Principles for Christian Churches

How do women honor God’s pattern of male headship in the church while also exercising a spiritual gift of teaching?

Christian Web Trends Blog: Church Websites, Design, SEO

Is your church online? Most people start looking for things online. So, your church needs to be online for them to find you. Knott Avenue Christian Church is doing that. See how and see what the results have been.

God doesn't want you to be happy

Yes, really. I said it. Although to be clear, I didn't say, "God wants you to be unhappy." There's a difference. But your happiness is not on His todo lis

What Is the Church's Mission?

This short book argues that the mission of the church is to make disciples and to be disciples as it equips readers to obey Christ’s call and make God’s glory known in their churches and in all the world.

The Difficulty in Finding a Biblical Church

There are still some sound biblical Christian churches in America; a "remnant," to be sure. But a growing number look more and more like the world than they do an assembly of God's called-out people. A difficulty arises when you have been a member of a historically sound church, but it has been in the midst of a transformation where it is adopting the beliefs and values of this fallen world. This gradual shift is often so subtle that you cannot see the…

What is the Church? (Part 1)

The next part of our Foundations study seeks to answer the question; what is the Church? There are many opinions out there, so what does the Bible say?

A Dying Church?

Part 1 – “Excitement” “Do you know what people say about your church?” the woman asked me. She had been a visitor in one o…

Church Decline: What if Your Church Disappeared?

The community grows, but your church declines. Does anybody know what you offer? If you church was forced to close its doors, would anyone notice?

5 Questions about the Local Church

Ultimately, the local church makes visible what is invisible, and reflects in words and deeds the kingdom life that is to come.

Why We Need to Gather as a Church

The push toward the virtual church, we fear, is a push to individualize Christianity. It trains Christians to think of their faith in autonomous terms.