UPSIDE DOWN MAYBE?
My April issue of The Christian Chronicle, “An international newspaper for Churches of Christ,” arrived in today’s postal mail delivery. Emblazoned across the top of page one, the banner headline screamed, “Church in decline: U.S. culture to blame?” Before I could consciously consider its meaning, another headline raced through my mind as likely stating more truth: “U.S. culture in decline: church to blame?”
MEET THE FAMILY
Yes, GracEmail is now in its 20th year and subscribers really do seem like family to me, especially when I get to meet you in person. This family is scattered around the world and contains many fascinating people. Today I want to introduce you to gracEmail subscriber RON HARRIS, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Ron celebrates his 80th birthday this year. He has spent decades in a Bible teaching ministry, primarily with those known as Brethren (sometimes known as Plymouth Brethren, but Ron says “we didnt like that designation.” The late Professor F.F. Bruce also shared the Brethren background.) Ron has preached in many different churches through the years: Presbyterian, Baptist, Anglican, Independent, and Gospel Hall.
Ron recently moved from Prince Edward Island to Halifax, where his son Mark is Senior Pastor of Grace Chapel. The congregation has Brethren roots and still observes the Lords Supper each Lords Day. Besides Pastor Mark, Ron’s other son, David, is in England and is an Anglo-Catholic priest.
SAVE THE DATE!
The second Rethinking Hell international conference is set for June 18-20, 2015 on the campus of Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. The theme will be Conditional Immortality and the Challenge of Universal Salvation. A first-class line-up of presenters includes David Instone-Brewer of Tyndale House, Cambridge; Jerry Walls of Houston Baptist University; and Robin Parry, author of The Evangelical Universalist. For full details, go to: http://www.rethinkinghellconference.com/2015/#tab-home