Barnabas File

With 22 films over an eleven-year period, the Marvel Cinematic Universe closes out this chapter with Avengers:   Endgame , an exciting and emotional epic.   If you have not seen the film, no spoilers here! All good stories involve conflict, and there is plenty of that in the Marvel films, but the ultimate conflict is between two of the key superheroes--Iron Man (Tony Stark) played by Robert Downey, Jr., and Captain America (Steve Rogers) played by Chris Evans. Together, they embody the dichotomy that is America (and perhaps western civilization). Tony is an unrepentant capitalist--brash, rude, results-oriented, and short-tempered--but with an evolving social conscience.  Steve is a patriot in the best sense of the word--courteous, humble, committed, and brave--but a man out of his own time.  Steve represents the morality and values that we want to be known for as a people.  Tony represents the drive, vitality, and innovation that has d...

In most churches, this is the time of year when we “begin a new church year.”   Of course, I don’t mean the calendar year or the liturgical year, but the year tied to the end of summer and the beginning of school.   Most churches base their Bible study, discipleship, and mission programs on the beginning of the academic year, so this is the time when we dust off the old and roll out the new. This is often we reconsider the way that we go about welcoming guests in our congregations.  Why “guests” rather than “visitors”?  If people are visitors, we may be implying that we don’t expect them back.  Guests, however, are those with whom we want to develop rapport in hopes of an ongoing relationship. We often use the word “hospitality” to describe what we are offering when new folks come to call in our worship services and Bible studies classes.  Although we move quickly to the techniques involved in making someone feel welcome, perhaps...

An article in our local paper this past Sunday addressed the way that political candidates relate to churches—both in soliciting votes and to being part of a congregation.   One official pointed out that when he was elected to public office he left a smaller church to attend a large church with five weekend services and weekend attendance of 7000 to 8000. He explained that in his new church he could “blend in and be part of the crowd.”  No one knew him, so there were no “political questions.”  He also pointed out the convenience:  “There are so many times you can go.” Whether one is a politician or not, there is some freedom in simply being a face in the crowd.  Having attended a number of large churches, I can appreciate the anonymity available.  No one asks you about giving money, helping with a committee, or assisting with the worship.  On the other hand, no one asks how your family is doing, what’s going on at work, or how they can pray fo...

The Nashville Tennessean carried the story this week of a former megachurch that is putting its facility on the market.  Built for a congregation of 6000, the church now averages about 850 on Sundays.  They plan to use the receipts of the sale to fund two or more satellite locations.  The pastor is reported to have said that worshipers prefer smaller locations where they can build friendships.   “It used to be that everyone wanted to drive to a big church,” the pastor said. “Now, they want to be at a church in their community.” I sincerely doubt his generalization that “everybody” wanted to be part of a megachurch.  There are many of people who do like to attend big churches (and 850 attendance is still a big church to most of us), but there are many smaller congregations that have continued to survive and even prosper despite the growth of megachurches across our nation.  A lot of folks have invested themselves in ...