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Articles by Leslie Verner
Shannan Martin - Start With Hello
Quicker to Notice, Faster to Care A Feature Review of Start with Hello (And Other Simple Ways to Live as Neighbors) Shannan Martin Paperback: Revell, 2022 Buy Now: [ IndieBound ] [ Amazon ] [ Kindle ] [ Audible ] Reviewed by Leslie Verner Shannan Martin writes, “I can’t help but wonder what the world would look like—what it would feel like—if we were quicker to notice, faster to care, and more eager to link arms and lift our weary neighbors over hurdles?” (168) In her third non-fiction book,...
How Letting Go of My Calling Drew Me Closer to Jesus
I don’t like to say that God “calls me” anymore. When I graduated from a Christian college, I believed I would change the world. I was determined to be useful, significant and different. I wasn’t going to join the throng of sell-outs who eventually move to comfy white-picket homes in the suburbs and attend churches where conversations afterward are meaningless and trivial, because I was called to be a missionary—the highest calling a Christian can have.
Places to Publish (for Writers of Faith)
I compiled another list! Surprise, surprise. (Perhaps a procrastination technique to not actually write. . . ?) There are millions of online journals, but sometimes it’s hard to know which ones are worth your time. I’ve published at some of these places listed below, but the rest come by recommendation from writing friends. Can people of faith publish in secular journals? Of course–and I hope you do! But for those of you looking for a niche, I hope this list nudges you to submit your work to the world.
Cultivating Community and Practicing Hospitality from a “Social Distance”
Love and relationships can deepen—even from a physical distance. I think we’re going to be surprised by the ways social distancing brings us together. My husband first told me he loved me over Skype, the call freezing his face in a pixilated grin seconds after he said it. I quickly called him back to confess I was in love with him too. We fell for each other while I was on a quick trip back to the United States during a time when I was living 10,000 miles away in China.
The Gift of Death
This article was originally published on March 6, 2020. Rebekah taught me to drive stick shift in her husband’s Jetta on the narrow northside streets of Chicago. She was a preschool teacher, so we all bargained that her patience would outlast her husband’s in teaching me to shift gears and stamp down the clutch at just the right time. Though we had gone to the same college, I first met Rebekah at church when we attended small group together.
New Books by Women Authors in 2020
Ok folks, I have books for you. Add these to your Goodreads “want to read” list, pre-order on Amazon (this guarantees the lowest price), request from your local library, or call in to your indie bookstores to pre-order. I’m drooling over these gorgeous covers. Most of these books are nonfiction and all are by women writers. I can’t wait.
Tim Keller Looks at the 15 Tough Questions George Whitefield Would Ask Himself Every Day
This weekend, Redeemer Presbyterian Church founder and best-selling author Tim Keller took to Twitter to discuss something powerful he’d been reading: The diary of eighteenth century theologian George Whitefield. In a thread on Twitter, he looked at the 15 “questions [he] used to evaluate himself every day.” Have I … 1.Been fervent [had warmth of feeling] in private prayer? 2. Used stated hours of prayer [morning, noon, and evening]? 3. Used [spontaneous prayer to God] every hour? 4.
Is 'the Sinner's Prayer' Even Biblical?
Sometimes when I hear people speak about sharing the Gospel and inviting others to pray the “sinner’s prayer,” it sounds completely underwhelming. Can I be honest about that? I do not think the Gospel is something to be ignored or that it’s no big deal. But at times, the way we talk about it makes it seem rather small and inconsequential. For some, the Gospel claims my sin has brought separation from God, and because God is holy, He cannot be around sin.
The Vatican Just Released a Photo of the Pope Laughing With Cardinals During a Meeting About Widespread Sexual Abuse
This week, the Pope is meeting with several powerful Vatican officials to discuss even more allegations of sexual abuse within the church. Many of the hundreds of victims were just children when they were allegedly abused by members of clergy. In many cases, church officials are accused of protecting members of the clergy and covering up abuse—allowing even more abuse to take place. It’s a very, very serious. That’s why images from the meetings are so strange, and frankly, concerning.
Justin Bieber Just Attended a Massive Luis Palau Evangelistic Event
This past weekend, evangelists Luis & Andrew Palau hosted their large CityFest event in Grand Rapids, Michigan. And, along with speakers and performers including Luis Palau, TobyMac, Lecrae, Mandisa and others, a few other familiar faces were hanging out backstage at the ministry event. Justin Bieber and his fiance Haley Baldwin attended with Haley’s father, Stephen Baldwin, who himself is an evangelist along with being an actor.
Evangelizing to People Who Have Heard it All Before
Within a society where people know the gist of what Christianity teaches but words such as “converts,” “evangelism” and “proselytize” are increasingly associated with religious zealots, abusive cults and violent terrorism, it’s becoming more difficult to communicate faith-based ideas without being offensive or perceived as a close-minded bigot. Historically, evangelism has sometimes been used as a weapon to hurt, shame, guilt and induce fear.
What Real Worship Can Look Like
God doesn’t need my worship or yours. He isn’t fading into the dark like Tinkerbell waiting for someone to clap for Him. It’s by God’s grace that we can worship. But what do we have to give or say to the God of the universe? It is not even a bad singing voice or the “right” words that God is after. He wants us. He wants us to live abundantly in the freedom and perfect design He has always dreamed for us.
Pop Star Michelle Williams Talks God, Faith and the Bible in This Powerful YouVersion Video
Pop star Michelle Williams—a former member of the group Destiny’s Child—is featured in a new video for YouVersion, the makers of the world’s most popular Bible app. In the clip, Williams alludes to struggles with emotional health, childhood trauma and how God and the Bible sustained her through it all.
4,400 Pastors Have Signed John MacArthur’s Anti-Social Justice Proclamation
Pastor and author John MacArthur appears to be doubling down on his recent anti-social justice comments. A few weeks ago, he released a blog called “Social Injustice to the Gospel” in which he made the claim, “Over the years, I’ve fought a number of polemical battles against ideas that threaten the gospel.
Craig Groeschel on Why Christians Shouldn't Expect Life to Be 'Fair'
If you think about it, life wasn’t fair to Jesus. He was perfect in every way. Jesus loved the unlovable. Healed the hurting. Cared for the outcasts. Touched the untouchables. If we look at his story from God’s vantage point, Jesus could make the same argument we make: Life isn’t fair. It wasn’t fair that Jesus had to be whipped, mocked and beaten. It wasn’t fair that Roman guards drove stakes through His wrists and heels, hanging Him mercilessly on an instrument of torture and shame.
Are Churches Becoming More Like Gangs?
We live in a time when people go to a building on Sunday mornings, attend an hour-long service, and call themselves members of the Church. Does that sound shocking to you? Of course not. This is perfectly normal. It’s what we grew up with. We all know good Christians go to church. But have you ever read the New Testament? Do you find anything in Scripture that is even remotely close to the pattern we have created? Do you find anyone who “went” to church?
Everything Wrong With John MacArthur's Attack on Racial Reconciliation
John Fullerton MacArthur, Jr. is one of the biggest names in evangelical Christianity. He’s the founder of Grace to You ministries, the president of The Master’s University and the teaching pastor of Grace Community Church. His Calvinist and Cessationist apologetics have been driving theological forces throughout the evangelical world, and his millions of study Bibles and other books sold inform the consciousness of Christians across the world.
The Most Misused Verse in the Bible
Editor’s note: This week, we’re taking a look at some of the "Best of RELEVANTMagazine.com" from 2010. This article was so widely read when it was first posted that it took us by surprise. And the comments stayed pretty insightful.
Saddleback Church Has Now Baptized 50,000 People
This weekend, Saddleback Church pastor Rick Warren announced a major milestone: They’ve become the first church to baptize 50,000 people. In a Facebook post, Warren wrote, “This weekend, we will soar past another historic milestone as we baptize the 50,000th person baptized into the Body of Christ at Saddleback Church. Imagine all the amazing personal stories of changed lives behind that number! 50,000 individual lives transformed by Jesus since Saddleback Church began.
Should John Piper Have Changed the Words to ‘Great Is Thy Faithfulness’ ?
Recently, writer and preacher John Piper spoke at a Gospel Coalition conference, and the worship team there decided that the classic hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” would be a good choice to follow his remarks. However, Piper decided to make some changes to the classic song. He told TGC, “I heard [TGC] intended to close with that hymn. That’s a great hymn. I love it. But it did not hit the nail of my message on the head.
How to Stop Limiting God in Your Prayers
Over the past couple of years, I’ve come to realize just how much my thoughts, beliefs and actions affect my prayer life, and just how often I limit God in my prayers because of my thoughts, beliefs and actions. The way I think and what I believe about God and myself will determine not only how I live but also how I pray.
Author Lee Strobel Supports the Women Accusing Bill Hybels, Says They're 'Godly and Credible'
Today, former pastor and noted Case for Christ author Lee Strobel posted on Twitter that he supports and believes the women accusing former Willow Creek pastor Bill Hybels of sexual misconduct. Strobel said the women were “Godly and credible” and admitted he hadn’t seen any evidence of misconduct while he was at Willow Creek. Strobel was teaching pastor at Willow Creek from 1987 to 2000.
Willow Creek Is Launching a New Investigation into Bill Hybels
This weekend, The New York Times published a story in which a woman named Pat Baranowski described years of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior by Willow Creek Church founder Bill Hybels. Hybels stepped down as the pastor—sooner than he previously said he planned to—following other allegations by several women of sexual misconduct back in March. Back in March, the church and Hybels denied the allegations and suggested that the women who made them were lying.
5 (More) Unbiblical Statements Christians Believe
About three years ago, I wrote an article titled “9 Unbiblical Statements That Christians Believe,” and it really struck a nerve with people. Many Christian online publications picked it up to share with their audiences, and it was one of the “most read articles of the year” on several of those sites.
Study: Theology Is the Top Reason Churchgoers Stay or Leave Their Church
LifeWay Research recently released new research showing that churchgoers really care about the doctrines of their faith communities. According to the study, churchgoers who participated indicated a much higher tolerance for change in music or preaching style than doctrine. “Mess with the music and people may grumble. Mess with theology and they’re out the door,” explained Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research (h/t: Christianity Today). The numbers are a bit counterintuitive.
Why Gratitude Is a Spiritual Discipline
It’s almost unbelievable that Jesus heals 10 lepers in Luke 17 simultaneously. Without fanfare, He simply commands the motley crew, “Go, show yourselves to the priest.” They exit stage-left and their skin is restored. Jesus certainly missed an opportunity there to make a big, impressive scene. The Lord was never concerned with aggrandizement. What was unbelievable to Him, however, was the lack of thankfulness from the former lepers. Only one makes a U-turn to thank Him for His tremendous miracle.
Here's What American Christians Think God Looks Like According to a New Study
Psychologists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill recently conducted an interesting study to determine what American Christians think God looks like. The results, as Gizmodo noted, is a lot like Elon Musk. The researchers met with more than 500 American Christians and showed them each 300 pairs of photos of faces “generated by overlaying random noise on a base face representing a statistically average American,” as Gizmodo explained.
A Lot of SBC Leaders Are Upset at Mike Pence’s Convention Speech Today
Today, Vice President Mike Pence spoke at the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting, and the speech has become instantly controversial. Instead of just talking about faith, evangelism, the church or theology, Pence got very political. The director of Bibles & Reference at LifeWay called it “a full-blown campaign speech.” The denomination’s newly-named president JD Greear issued a statement on Twitter saying, “I know that sent a terribly mixed signal.
SBC Expels Georgia Church Over Accusations of Racism
Ahead of the Southern Baptist Convention’s national meeting, the convention’s executive committee voted to remove Georgia-based Raleigh White Baptist Church, according to a spokesman. The executive committee makes decisions for SBC when it’s not in session.
Kirk Franklin, Carl Lentz, Joel Osteen and Others Showed Up for John Gray's 'Installation Service' at Relentless Church
A plethora of prominent evangelical figures turned out to officially install John Gray in his new post as lead pastor of Relentless Church in South Carolina. Gray announced some time ago that he’d be leaving his position as associate pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, to lead a church of his own. In an interview with the hosts of The Breakfast Club radio show, Gray said: “[At Lakewood] I was serving Pastor Joel and Pastor Victoria [Osteen]’s vision.
God Wants to Reshape the Way You Think About Your Body
In the first chapter of Genesis, God looks upon all He has made and sees it is good. A week after giving birth I looked at my own body and struggled to agree with God’s assessment of creation. I didn’t have a strong theology around my body and its significance to my faith; for most of my life, I’ve treated thought and feeling as the means by which God makes himself known.
Paige Patterson Will No Longer Speak at the Annual SBC Meeting
Paige Patterson, the former seminary president and Southern Baptist Convention leader who was fired after making inappropriate comments about women and being accused of mishandling rape allegations by two female students, has released a statement, explaining that he will no longer preach at the SBC’s upcoming annual meeting. He was scheduled to preach the headlining “convention sermon” on June 13.
70+ Race Resources for White People
Maybe you read a news article on your Facebook feed or listened to a podcast and feel it’s time for you to finally DO something about the injustices in our nation. Perhaps it is time for that. But our African American sisters and brothers have asked that before we speak, we be sure that we have done something else first: educate ourselves.
Places for (Edgy) Faith Writers to Publish
Anyone who’s read my blog for any length of time knows I love lists of resources. Perhaps it’s the teacher in me? For those of you who might be new to writing, I wanted to give you a leg up and let you know some places to submit your work. I’ve written for many of these, but some are on my bucket list of places to submit one day in the future.
Philadelphia Eagles Player Has Baptized 5 of His Teammates - RELEVANT Magazine
The Philadelphia Eagles NFL team has managed to do something not many other professional teams are doing: Many players are have forged a bond through their spirituality. Religious players are pretty common in the league, but for many of these players, they live out their lives and faiths together—going as far as being baptized by a teammate in the team’s recovery pool at the practice facility.
Does Fasting Even Matter Anymore? - RELEVANT Magazine
Jesus and Moses began their earthly ministries by spending 40 days alone in the wilderness with God. These wilderness moments of fasting and prayer were moments of silence and moments of solitude. For me, these moments have been sacred stepping stones in my journey with God. I imagine they must have reminded Jesus of his first moments of solitude with man, alone in the wilderness of an unfinished garden.
The Pastor of Andy Savage’s Church Calls Bloggers and Social Media Critics ‘Hateful’ - RELEVANT Magazine
The pastor of Memphis’s Highpoint Church, Chris Conlee, has taken to the pulpit to call out people on social media who have criticized the megachurch for how they have handled accusations of sexual assault against fellow pastor Andy Savage. Recently, a woman named Jules Woodson came forward, and explained how when she was 17 years old in 1998, Savage was her 22-year-old youth pastor. After a service, he drove her to a secluded location at night and told her to perform sex acts on him.
Why I Left the Cult of 'Calling' (And You Should, Too)
I don’t like to say that God “calls me” anymore. When I graduated from a Christian college, I believed I would change the world. I was determined to be useful, significant and different. I wasn’t going to join the throng of sell-outs who eventually move to comfy white-picket homes in the suburbs and attend churches where conversations afterward are meaningless and trivial, because I was called to be a missionary—the highest calling a Christian can have.
Episode 586: Jessie Ware - RELEVANT Magazine
This week, acclaimed singer/songwriter Jessie Ware gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her brand new album Glasshouse and author Dr. John Perkins discusses fighting racial injustice in America. The gang also sees how many pancakes RELEVANT writer Tyler Daswick can eat in a single sitting, discusses a very unique word of the year, church bell etiquette and a lot more!
The Danger of Reducing Big Ideas to Smaller Ones - RELEVANT Magazine
By and large, we appreciate multi-dimensional storylines that challenge our minds and heart. Our souls seem to resonate with an invitation to not be simple. To not be singular, myopic, small-minded. Books that win awards are nuanced and complicated, with plot lines and characters that surprise, delight or torture the reader. Movies that take home the Golden Globe sear to the bone with haunting truth or export us to an epic realm of imagination. At least in art, we resist reductionism.
The Problem With #NotAllChristians
Suppose you are the parent of a 12-year-old girl who you leave in charge for a few minutes while you go out to run errands. Her room is a mess, so you tell her to clean it up before you get back or she’ll lose her iPhone for a weekend. Upon your return, you find that she’s hardly moved and her room remains a disaster. “That’s it,” you say. “No more iPhone.” “What?” she says, horrified. “I cleaned some of the room.” She points to a few magazines she stacked on her bookshelf.
If My #ChurchToo Story Hadn't Happened, I Might Still Be a Christian - RELEVANT Magazine
I’ve been away from Christianity for almost a full-decade now. I left the ministry and pursued academia, convinced that my Atheism was a result of my critical thinking alone and had little to do with my experiences as a Christian. Then I stumbled across the #ChurchToo thread on Twitter, and a tidal wave of repressed memories and experiences hit me all at once. I thought about something that happened at the end of my undergraduate career that I’d tried desperately to forget.
Why I’m Not Apologizing for My Kids and Doing Hospitality Anyway
Lately I’ve been asking myself if I still enjoy hosting people in my home. Gathering around the table, feasting, having deep talks over plates piled high with food in the glow of candlelight is the goal, right? The adults belly laugh, dabbing tears from the corner of their eyes, then grab another steaming roll to dip in their homemade soup while the children run off to laugh together in the backyard. This is my expectation. No, this is my illusion.
What Happens When You Don’t ‘Feel’ the Holy Spirit Like Everyone Else?
Our perception of power is often cultivated by the world before we ever walk in the freedom of Christ. The world teaches us that our measure of power is heavily tied to the outcome. Martin Luther King championed civil rights, Gandhi helped win India’s independence and Muhammed Ali was the best boxer of all time, but if you’re looking for the story about the guy who died trying to become the next great inventor, athlete, or blogger, you’re not going to find it.
Day 24: A letter to my 13-year-old Self {Guest Post for 31 Days of #WOKE}
High school is hard, isn’t it? As a freshman in high school, you are more worried about relating to your peers and your changing body than your grades. Of course you would be. It’s not easy moving from India to America at 13. You’re trying to figure out the simple things, like navigating the grocery store and figuring out how to order coffee from Starbucks. All you want to do is fit in, belong, and not feel so lonely anymore. But you’ll manage. You’ll figure it out piece by piece.
Day 22: Following Nikole Hannah-Jones Down the Integration Rabbit Hole (Part 2) {31 Days of #WOKE}
Nikole Hannah-Jones is my hero. Haven’t heard of her? Well, do any Google search including the words “school segregation” or “school integration” and you will likely find an article written by her. The first time I heard of Nikole was on a This American Life Podcast called “The Problem We All Live With,” a two part-er about the benefits of school integration. (If you haven’t listened to it, please download it right now).
Here's Why So Many of Your Relationships Are Failing
Many people long to be in a deeply committed relationship full of love and laughter. Though love and laughter are present in healthy God-centered relationships, hurt, disappointment and anger also make appearances from time to time. Our selfish nature and expectations toward our significant other guarantees miscommunication and lack of understanding is inevitable. We often tell ourselves that it’s because “men and women are different” or because of previous emotional baggage.
We Need More Millennial Leaders
This used to be one of my favorite Scripture verses: “Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, (1 Timothy 4:11-12)” To me, it seemed like God declared that no one could treat me like an immature, young brat just because I was an immature, young brat. The millennial generation, of which I am a part, is not exactly known for its maturity.
5 Verses Christians Like to Ignore
One of the things that makes the message of the Gospel so revolutionary is that it reframes the way we think the world should work. After all, His ways are not our ways. But too often, when a verse challenges the way we do things to a degree that seems unreasonable, it can be easier to just ignore it entirely. For many Christian, there is a pattern of selectively breezing over some of Christ’s more difficult commands, while favoring parts of Scripture that are easy to understand and apply.
8 Books to Read When You’re Struggling to Read the Bible
In the circles I rolled in back in my “on fire” days, there was a method to a good “quiet time” or “devotional time” or—wait for it—“date with Jesus” (I wish I were making that last one up. I’m not). If you were going to spend time with God, it involved “getting into the Word” or, if you were extra serious, “digging into the Word.” It involved reading through the Bible in a year or at least reading a little bit every day.
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