New England Perspectives
A regularly updated collection of articles written by New England leaders and thinkers. Looking for news articles? Click here.
Turning Conflict Into Your Greatest Asset
You accepted the call to lead a struggling church. Attendance is down, energy is low, and the same individuals have dominated decision-making for decades. Every change initiative sparks controversy. Board meetings turn tense. Members threaten to leave. Here's the truth every revitalization leader needs: conflict during transformation is not a sign you're failing, it's proof you're succeeding.
Why It’s Time for Us to Come Back to Church (With a Smile)
Over the past few years, many have quietly drifted from regular church attendance. Life got busy. The pandemic messed with our rhythms. Somewhere along the way, Sunday morning turned into a “maybe,” not a “must.” If that’s part of your family’s story, you’re not alone, but maybe it’s time to come back. Not out of guilt. Not just to punch a spiritual timecard. But because something beautiful—and even a little miraculous—happens when God’s people gather.
Mental Health and the Mission of the Church: Part 2
Pastoring in New England is no small feat. From the intellectual skepticism of urban centers like South End Boston to the quiet isolation of rural churches dotting Vermont’s hills or Maine’s forests, leaders face a post-Christian culture that often questions faith. The region’s vast rural areas, home to small, tight-knit congregations, can amplify feelings of loneliness, as pastors shepherd flocks in remote towns far from support networks. Urban pastors, in cities like Providence or Hartford, face a different but equally isolating challenge: surrounded by people, they’re often disconnected in a fast-paced, skeptical environment that marginalizes their calling. Mental health struggles—both for leaders and their people—add another layer of challenge.
“Would a Shepherd Really Break a Wandering Sheep's Legs?”: Rethinking a Popular Christian Story
If you’ve been around Christian teaching for long, you may have heard the story: A sheep keeps wandering from the flock. The shepherd, out of love, breaks its leg so it can’t wander again. He carries the sheep on his shoulders as it heals, and during that time, the sheep learns to trust and stay near the shepherd. It’s been told in sermons, devotionals, and parenting books as a powerful picture of God’s discipline: the idea that He “breaks” us to teach trust. It sounds spiritual. It’s emotionally compelling. But here’s the truth: there’s no historical, biblical, or agricultural evidence that shepherds ever did this. And even worse, the story might give us a damaging view of God.
Mental Health and the Mission of the Church: Part 1
In New England, where many churches minister in spiritually resistant, highly secularized, and often isolated environments, the call to love and shepherd the hurting has never been more urgent. Mental Health and Your Church: A Handbook for Biblical Care by Steve Midgley and Helen Thorne is a thoughtful, theologically grounded, and pastorally wise resource that speaks directly to the heart of that calling.
The Vitality of Partnership
One of the most common phrases uttered to parishioners in the church is, “Don’t do life alone.” The instruction is vital to the spiritual growth and vitality of every member. Encouragement, connection, shared resources, and help is the byproduct of mutual collaboration and partnership with someone else. Acting alone is a sure pathway to discouragement, loneliness, and unwanted mistakes.
Answering the Slavery Question
You have probably been confronted with the objection that the Bible condones slavery. This is often used as a way of undermining the Bible, and thereby criticizing the morality of the Christian faith. While no doubt the sin of slavery has to be owned by many Christians throughout history, there are some mitigating factors important to keep in mind.
Overcoming the Spirit of Offense: Lessons from 1 Samuel 25
Nabal was a wealthy man living in Carmel, known for his riches—but also for his harshness and evil behavior. His name literally meant 'fool,' and sadly, he lived up to it. Despite having everything a person might desire—a successful business, a beautiful and intelligent wife named Abigail, and protection provided by David’s men—Nabal was bitter and disrespectful.
Revitalization is Built Upon the Ask
Church revitalization doesn’t begin with a strategy. It starts with a question. At the heart of every turnaround story is a humble yet bold request—for help, for vision, for God’s power to move. The "ask" isn’t just a tool; it’s a mindset. If your church is stuck, declining, or drifting, you won’t program your way out of it. You must ask your way forward.
Engaging the Next Generation: Strategies for Connecting with Gen Z and Alpha (Part 2)
In this follow up article, we'll discuss a few more characteristics of Gen Z and Alpha and how we can engage with them to point them to Christ.
Finding Hope and Joy Again
I was sitting in church on Easter morning, my second Easter since my beloved wife of thirty-five years, Kay, passed away from pancreatic cancer almost two years ago. I was thinking of the hope I continue to find in Christ since her passing.
Engaging the Next Generation: Strategies for Connecting with Gen Z and Alpha (Part 1)
If you’ve spent time with a teenager, you may have gotten lost in the conversation. With slang words that are hard to keep up with, big emotions, and social drama, you may find yourself avoiding them altogether. But engaging with the next generation is precisely what Scripture calls us to do.
Contemplating the Cross This Easter: A Call to Live Differently
As Easter draws near, we are invited to contemplate the profound mystery of the Cross. The Cross is not just a symbol of suffering and death, but a powerful expression of love, grace, and transformation. To reflect on the Cross is to journey into the very heart of God’s love—a love that embraces suffering and enters our pain to heal and redeem us. This Easter let’s reflect on the Cross and explore practical ways to live out its message in our daily lives.
The Catalytic Leader: A New Vision for New England's Churches
In the historic landscape of New England—once the epicenter of spiritual awakening in America—a profound opportunity awaits church leaders ready to embrace catalytic thinking. This is not merely about sustaining existing congregations but about igniting a movement that could transform the region once known as the cradle of American Christianity.
Finding Peace in Christ
In today’s fast-paced and often chaotic world, challenges such as anxiety, depression, and stress have become increasingly common. Sadly, some people seek relief through unhealthy habits and behaviors. Others seek relief through therapy, medication, or self-help strategies, all of which can be beneficial. However, as Christians, we know that faith in Jesus Christ offers a unique and profound source of healing and peace that surpasses human understanding (Philippians 4:7).
Perfect Parenting
Like most parents, I think I felt most confident in my parenting abilities before I became one. I would look at other people’s screaming toddlers in the grocery store and think that my children would never act in such a way. Elementary school bully... not my kid. Backtalking, eye-rolling teenagers? My children will never do such a thing. Then I became a parent. Faced with the reality of day to day parenting, my children’s inherent sin nature (and mine), and my need for sleep and alone time, parenting became daunting.
Be Revitalized Before You Revitalize Others
Revitalizing a church requires a pastor to use his head, heart, and hands. Why? Because loving God and others involves our heart, mind, and strength. The task ahead of us is accomplished through the power of the Spirit, yet it also carries practical and realistic demands. We've likely heard the saying, "God must work in you before He can work through you."
A Sacred Dialogue
Sarah had always thought of prayer as a monologue—a one-sided conversation where she spoke, and God, somewhere far off, listened. She grew up reciting the Lord’s Prayer, offering petitions before meals, and whispering hurried requests before bed. But something had shifted in her heart recently.
Push Past False Expectations This Christmas
I have a confession. I’m turning into one of those people that loves cheesy Christmas movies. As things in life get challenging and sometimes feel out of control, there’s something comforting about these simple, predictable stories with a happy ending. It’s great mindless entertainment, as long as we don’t see it as reality. Perhaps you see movies, social media feeds, and Christmas card photos that make you feel like everyone else is having a magical Christmas, while you are sitting in the midst of your chaos and suffering. For most of us, Christmas can’t be wrapped up neatly with a bow. It’s messy and complicated, but there’s still beauty and wonder to be found.
Advent: Preparing Our Hearts for Christ’s Coming
Advent is a season of anticipation and preparation, observed during the four weeks leading up to Christmas. While it may not always be a formal part of Baptist tradition, its rich meaning and focus on Christ make it a season worth embracing. The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival,” and it reminds us to reflect on the coming of Jesus Christ—past, present, and future.