The Gathering

Cole NeSmith
7 Jan 2013
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There’s a great responsibility that comes with gathering people. Everything we do (and don’t do) communicates something. Here are a few things that can be pretty important and what they communicate. 1. Prepare the space. What we communicate by doing it: “I value the fact that you’re here. I appreciate that you’ve taken time to be present, and I am willing to make sure your experience is a good one.” This isn’t allowing people to be lazy or encouraging them to be consumers. It’s simply saying, “You’re important enough to prepare for.” This can include sweeping the floor, cleaning the […]

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Justice or Salvation

Cole NeSmith
11 Dec 2012
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Justice feels so good, for a moment. And it’s so easy. It’s the closing of a chapter. The end of a discussion. A time to move on. There are seemingly clear instances in our culture where there is consensus on who should be “brought to justice.” The Christian community often leads the way in calling for swift action in the capture and punishment of notorious figures like Osama bin Laden or Ted Bundy. We raise high the banner of the death penalty, and we put magnetic ribbons on our cars in support of war. But we’ve forgotten to ask a […]

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Unequally Yoked

Cole NeSmith
19 Nov 2012
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Commentary Growing up in church, there was always this discussion about the phrase, “Do not be unequally yoked” (2 Corinthians 6:14). Of course, it was wielded as an instruction not to date someone who wasn’t a Christian. And, actually, I’m not here to say anything different. It’s just – for me – I don’t do well with “don’t” statements that aren’t explained. Especially when I think there’s an explanation. Let me start by saying that, of course you and I are called to be in relationships with people who aren’t followers of Jesus – people who don’t agree with the […]

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