TweetA lot of us protestant types aren’t exactly experts on the subject of Lent. The continuum of lent awareness goes like this: This post will only be helpful to the JV squad on the left side of that continuum. If you’re positioned more toward the right side you might want to consult an expert. Or [...]
TweetI feel I have a license to rip on pastors because I am one. It’s not true that I have a license, I just feel that way. I’ll try not to let that false perception push me to being a jerk…but I do have a slight bone to pick with people like me. It seems [...]
TweetIt’s Valentine’s day, so perhaps a word about marriage is in order. I love to play basketball. Suppose you and I were teammates in a local pick up game. It’s a tight game, pretty intense for the park. You’re bringing the ball up the court and I run your way. You assume I’m setting you [...]
TweetI wish churches were more diverse. I wish my church was more diverse. Sometimes when I meet new people at church I think to myself, “They’re awesome! I’m so glad that they’re here! If they weren’t white I’d be even happier.” Is that bad? Don’t answer that…I know it’s bad. We’re slowly becoming more diverse [...]
TweetThe world is full of traditional pairings. You know, stuff that just always seems to go together. PB & J Parties & regrets Jordan & Pippen Dating & drama etc… You can’t seem to have one without the other. Sometimes that magnetism makes for great things (i.e., PB & J) and sometimes not (i.e., dating [...]
TweetA queen bee is special. No queen, no colony. She’s royalty. But apparently, in terms of DNA, every bee in the colony is identical. They all start out the same: jobless, genderless, larvae. And when the time comes for a new queen a larva is chosen (again, no different than the ones around it). This [...]
TweetSunday I’ll start a new teaching series at the Maryville Vineyard. It’s called The Deliverers. In 8 weeks we’ll look at 5 of the 12 jacked up heroes whom God chose to make Judges. Ehud Deborah Gideon Jephthah Samson Here are a few of the reasons I’m so excited about it (in no particular order) [...]
Tweet We’re always kicking ideas around at the Maryville Vineyard. At the moment, we’re working on how to create more and better digital giving options. We have online giving available via PayPal. People are using it more and more, which is cool. Some folks give from their paychecks with an automatic withdrawal that comes to [...]
TweetThe baptism in the Holy Spirit is certainly one of the most polarizing issues in Christianity (I feel dirty calling it an ‘issue’). There’s tons of confusion, a fair amount of accusation, and not nearly enough open and thoughtful dialogue. As with any polarizing ‘issue’ people tend to run to one side or another…and then [...]
TweetOccasionally I just ‘go’ to the Maryville Vineyard. Most weeks I’m ‘the preacher guy’. When I’m not ‘the preacher guy’ it’s generally because I’m out of town. But this week, I just showed up and worshiped. Here’s what stood out: People were engaged. I typically sit on the front row, eyes forward. I’m always a bit [...]
Aaron McCarter is the Lead Pastor of Maryville Vineyard Church in East TN.
