Philip Roland's Page

Something I've been thinking about lately. I've had past experiences with different types of churches that strive for cultural relevance in various ways, with varying results. Recently I've had some thoughts come to mind about this. What makes something truly relevant? The content or the context? Is a church relevant when it uses communication tools that are seen as connecting with the culture, or is it relevant when it communicates relevant ideas and truths? A combination of both?

Two points I… Continue

On this day where we reflect on the things that we are grateful for, I'd like to suggest that we should be discontent.

Yes, discontent. I'll explain.

grate⋅ful [greyt-fuhl] –adjective

1. warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received; thankful: I am grateful to you for your help.

con⋅tent [kuhn-tent] –adjective

1. satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else.

"Not wanting more o… Continue

Ask any good screenwriter, playwright, or author, and they will tell you that two of the most crucial things you need in your story are as follows: a) contrast between how things are and how things should be, and (b) a central conflict arising from the story's lead characters discovering that things are not as they should be and subsequently resolving to make things right. This often results in a conflict between good and evil, or right and wrong. It is the same… Continue

“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” (1 Cor. 13:12).

Now we see dimly. Now we know imperfectly. But then? In Paradise–in Heaven? We will know as we are known. God knows us fully, more deeply and precisely than we can imagine, so at that time we can expect to finally achieve a complete picture of our God. In the meantime… well, I’ll get to that shortly.

What you are reading is a work in progress, as al… Continue