By Andy Hale Family carries a lot of visual weight. We were raised in a culture that glorified the conceptualization of the nuclear family, shunning divorce and single parents. What happens when your concept of family does not fit the norm or is unhealthy? Can our faith communities fill that void or build something new … Continue reading
By Andy Hale Our world, how do I put this, is spinning towards doom. Ecologically, sea levels are rising, glaciers continue to melt, extreme weather conditions, Arctic and Antarctic warming and water temperatures rise are just the start. We haven’t even started on the aspects of nationhood, religions, economies, and institutions that are under serious … Continue reading
By Andy Hale The free church celebrates the centrality and authority of scripture. While we might disagree on the interpretation of the scriptures, we believe the Bible, under the Lordship of Christ, is central in the life of the individual and church. But for anyone who has studied the Bible critically, you know there are … Continue reading
By Andy Hale Happy belated Earth Day! It feels as if the debates over climate change have subsided, with most people accepting that our planet is in trouble. However, what is still contested is the means by which to reverse course based on the special interests of specific industries. “A brief survey easily demonstrates that … Continue reading
By Andy Hale Since 2013, my family has used HealthCare.gov for affordable health insurance. As more churches cut budgets, the number of members on an ACA plan has increased. The American medical system is expensive. For many, it feels like a tyrannical ruler with its astronomical cost. The number of people dealing with medical debt … Continue reading
By Andy Hale Is it just me, or is it hard to believe that the COVID-19 Pandemic started over four years ago? What always perplexed me during the height of the pandemic was the politicization of it all. The same wave of people who urged Americans to display flags in solidarity after 9/11 became the … Continue reading
By Andy Hale Much has been made in the last decade of the “Nones” and “Dones.” However, well before these words entered our lexicon, the church was already experiencing rapid decline. According to Gallup, religious participation in the United States hovered around 70% or higher from 1937 through 1999. However, religious participation has steadily declined … Continue reading
By Andy Hale It is the Octave of Easter. We are coming out of Holy Week, examining Jesus’ journey to the cross and death. The journey of discipleship, especially during the season of Lent, is considering taking up our cross to follow Jesus. The early church quite literally took up their cross, and many were … Continue reading
By Andy Hale For many, their faith and participation in the life of the church is an escape from the many struggles in our world. However, it’s not just the world around us but within the church and our own spiritual journeys that feel like we are at an unsettling moment. We know the decline … Continue reading
By Andy Hale Most churches have a generational problem, with far too many congregations lacking whole generations altogether. The number one question most aging congregations ask me is how to reach young people. But the answer is not as simple as most congregations want. Young people have deeply formed theology that influences how they see … Continue reading