Crowdfunding Christian Ministry

Adam Copeland (June 2017). Posted in 21stCenturyMinistry, 21stCenturyMission.

It’s hardly breaking news that many congregations struggle with financial stewardship. Perhaps there was a time when Christians gave to the church without a second’s thought. In days of yore, giving was considered a duty and solemn obligation, and members reliably filled out pledge cards, doing their part to keep church coffers full. That’s not necessarily the... Read more

Confession Reboot

Why Sharing Our Failure with Others Still Matters

Adam Copeland (May 2016). Posted in 21stCenturyMinistry, 21stCenturySpirituality.

“I failed,” Jon Snow said to Ser Davos in a recent “Game of Thrones” episode. And Jon had. In fact, because of his leadership decisions, Jon was murdered by his friends. But Melisandre, a priestess of the Lord of Light, brought Jon back from the dead. Why? No one knows. Melisandre only has guesses. Ser Davos isn’t sure. Jon feels unworthy. After all, Jon reasons,... Read more

The Stewardship Challenge to Shorting the Soul

Adam Copeland (January 2016). Posted in 21stCenturyCulture.

Take control of your money . . . How to invest with confidence . . . Four distinctive habits of wealthy people . . . If you want to retire in 10 years, do these five things . . . These are just a few of the money-related headlines screaming off my computer screen. OK, I admit I didn’t click on them all, so no way did I read all the articles. But I’m... Read more

The Bible in One Hand, Beer in the Other

How to Make Oktoberfest Holy

Adam Copeland (October 2015). Posted in 21stCenturyBible, 21stCenturyCulture, 21stCenturySpirituality, Bearings Review 2016.

Autumn is the best season. I love it all: gorgeous leaves, crisp temperatures, flannel fresh from the closet, and, if you’re into that sort of thing, pumpkin spice lattes. There’s so much to love this time of year, but my absolute favorite marker of the season is Oktoberfest beer. A few weeks ago, when I saw the first Oktoberfest display in my local liquor store... Read more

What’s the Point of a Pastor?

Adam Copeland (May 2015). Posted in 21stCenturyMinistry, Bearings Review 2015.

“One of the reasons that people need pastors is precisely because God is always present but usually not apparent.” – M. Craig Barnes In my Presbyterian faith tradition most pastors wear black preaching robes. I promise we don’t do it for comfort. Or looks (obviously). These robes signify, in part, the relationship between the church and the academy. The unfitted... Read more

When Faith Goes to College . . . And Joins the Wrestling Team

Adam Copeland (March 2015). Posted in 21stCenturyMinistry.

Considering the amount of online commentary available concerning the millennial generation and the future of the church, the relative dearth of attention paid to young adults’ experience of faith and college is surprising. After all, college changes people. The 18-year-old who steps foot on campus during orientation week is, as students today would say, “super... Read more

Church for the Like-Minded Only? Won’t Get My Vote.

Adam Copeland (November 2014). Posted in 21stCenturyMinistry.

Several times this fall, my local university has announced which of the university’s colors fans should wear to the Saturday football game. Remarkably, the word gets out and nearly an entire stadium dons the same color clothing. One week it’s yellow. Later, green. Most recently, white. I’ve noticed a similar trend elsewhere. First, there were the two men dining... Read more

Contributor: Adam Copeland