It can be very helpful for everyone in a newly blended family if both the marriage partners and their respective children understand that the roles of spouse and parent should not be assumed to automatically go together. 

Our church has a lot of programs for children and teens but nothing for those of us who are retirement age. I feel as if I don’t count. Shouldn’t the church have things for us too?

Avoiding social hierarchies does not mean we should eliminate social differences or diversity, but merely the inequality between those differences.

There is nothing inherently unchristian about minimalism, and there are certainly significant parallels to Jesus' teaching on money and possessions.

If you mention genealogy in a group, it’s likely someone has had some experience with it—or knows someone who has. You’re also likely to pick up on some friendly competitiveness about how far back their roots could be traced.

God calls us in remarkably diverse and unpredictable ways. Because this is so, there is no simple or generalizable formula for discerning what task, career, or domestic positions God is calling us to occupy. 

What do you consider to be the most humorous passage in Scripture?
Thanks for asking! I'm always grateful for those who find humor important for our health and welfare, including biblical humor. There's a lot of it. But my favorite?

I have had awful times talking about justice with my family and friends who do not agree with my perspective. I love them, but my approach is not working. Any advice?

What is wrong with gene editing in embryos if we can save children from horrible genetic diseases?

Why does the abuse of power by leaders in our churches and parachurch organizations seem to be more common than it used to be, and how can we best address this problem?

My daughter and her husband attend a church that offers only Sunday school and not children’s worship. Our congregation has had both for years. What are my grandchildren missing? 

How do I handle those awkward checkout requests?

Until we learn and agree on the rules, I’d suggest we err on the side of revealing less about ourselves online—to a smaller and more trustworthy group—and behave online like we do in person.

Self-denial is at the heart of Christian calling. How different this is from popular conceptions of calling!

Are commissioned pastors allowed to perform the same tasks as ministers, such as administering the sacraments and performing weddings and funerals?

Our churches are called to explore various ways to reach their communities through both evangelism and social justice.

Our church leadership is talking about faith milestones. What are they, and why should we be interested? 

#MeToo movement has highlighted women who have experienced sexual harassment or assault. Aren’t Christians supposed to forgive rather than demand justice?

Many activities that were once forbidden by the church (card playing, dancing, and movie attendance) are now considered fine. But the Bible does not change. Are these changes biblical?

Christians should be aware of the effects of our lifestyles.

Online commenting is the latest and most efficient way we allow ourselves to be set up against each other.

At pivotal points in our paid work we must sometimes decide whether to remain where we are or move on to a new location.

I made profession of faith many years ago as a young teenager, but it was group pressure that made me do it.