When Church Seekers Ask Online Scrolling through my town’s neighborhood Facebook group recently, I came across two posts that gave me pause. One woman wrote: “My husband and I are looking for a new church to join, welcoming, inviting, loving, nonjudgmental group.” Another said: “My husband and I are looking for a church that promotesContinue reading “Asking Before Assuming: How to Engage Church-Seekers with Grace”
Author Archives: melissaelsner
Blessing and Cursing: What our Words Reveal About Our Heart
I was chatting with a friend recently about something we’ve both noticed scrolling through social media. Out of one breath, people who claim Christ post something encouraging, filled with scripture, reminding us of God’s goodness. And then out of the other breath, those same accounts share posts that stir up fear, spread conspiracy-like claims, orContinue reading “Blessing and Cursing: What our Words Reveal About Our Heart”
Psalm 23: A Psalm About God (Not You)
Psalm 23 is one of the most beloved and familiar passages in all of scripture. Many of us can recite it from memory, and for good reason. Its words bring comfort in trials, reassurance in uncertainty, and confidence in God’s presence. Recently, I heard a sermon on this psalm that, in my view, didn’t doContinue reading “Psalm 23: A Psalm About God (Not You)”
Faithful in Friendship: God Knows Who We Need
Friendships have never been easy for me. Maybe you can relate. Sometimes I’ve longed for one of those friend groups you see in movies or, let’s be real, in those Instagram posts where a bunch of women are all laughing in unison while holding their matching coffee cups. You know the kind: they’re always together,Continue reading “Faithful in Friendship: God Knows Who We Need”
Consuming Culture: Why What We Consume Matters
The other day I hopped on Instagram and was met with breaking news: Taylor Swift is engaged! Cue the confetti canons, champagne glasses, and millions of Swifties crying happy tears into their cat-shaped mugs. Now, I’ll be honest with you, I am not a Swiftie. (Don’t throw tomatoes! Or friendship bracelets!) But as I scrolledContinue reading “Consuming Culture: Why What We Consume Matters”