A few years ago a friend and his wife lost their son to suicide. I attended the service and then wrote a blog that expressed how I felt about their tragedy. Shortly afterwards, my friend asked me to work with him putting together a small conference to help families who have experienced the pain of mental illness. I thought about it for a few days before telling him that this issue was not my “sweet spot,” and it would work best if he found someone for whom it was a passion. We saw each other periodically over the next two years. He repeated his request each time, and I always responded with the same answer. It was just not for me. One night as I was getting into bed, I was startled to hear a voice in my…

The church service before I taught Sunday School this week was not to my taste. It’s hard for me to believe God finds this edifying. The music was too loud and hands were raised throughout the worship center, perhaps tentatively at first but then accompanied by a little swaying and pointing toward the ceiling. People started to move their lips. I have thought about recommending we have a special section at the back for people so inclined. Furthermore, we’ve switched from offering plates to those velvet bags to keep you from seeing what other people are putting in. And the large screens make the service feel more like Cinemark than…