IN THE BEGINNING... The idea of the COH formed in my thinking over a long period of time. By the fall of 2012 I had pastored for almost 20 years, engaged with politics for 8 years and had been immersed in the regional prayer movement for 12 years. COH was birthed from the convergence of these three streams. I saw firsthand the unhealthy relationship between Church and Government. Either the Church was “in bed” with one party or the other, or

That was the headline of an article in the Washington Post a couple weeks ago. The opening sentences have profound spiritual implications... URBAN AMERICA has a much-needed new truth-teller, and his name is Kevyn Orr. Mr. Orr is emergency manager for Detroit - a Democrat tasked by Michigan's Republican governor, Rick Snyder, with arresting the financial death spiral in that state's largest city. On June 14, Mr. Orr issued a 128-page report that cut

A battle is brewing in the Supreme Court hearings this week. Tuesday the Supreme Court will hear arguments on Proposition 8, California’s law defining marriage. Wednesday it will hear arguments regarding the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) signed into law by President Bill Clinton. I am very concerned about what the Court will decide but not for the reason you may think.  Let me give you two ideas and then a suggestion. First idea, the REAL problem

I pastor in the hood in Detroit. I was born and raised in Detroit and, in this city, I am a majority! In 2008, during a memorial commemoration of the Detroit riots of 1968, I met Pastor Eric Neale Moore who befriended me, in spite of my reluctance. Almost two and a half years later, Eric became a member of our church, humbly submitting to my pastorate and partnering with the incredible group of brothers and sisters who assemble in a struggling community

Why White Churches Ignore Black History Month By Eric Neale Moore I pastor in the hood in Detroit. You can see by my picture I am a minority person. Almost two and a half years ago God directed the steps of my life to partner with an incredible group of brothers and sisters who worship together in a building located in a struggling community near the Davison and Linwood. I am their Pastor of Spiritual Formation. During February, Black History Month,

American government is guilty of abusing the Church. Jesus is not happy when people mess with His Bride! The story of the Bible is that the Father is preparing a Bride for His Son. The culmination of the story is a wedding feast for Jesus and His Bride! Jesus loved this Bride so much that He even gave His life for her. In this season He is working to make this beloved Bride spotless, wrinkle and blemish free. He does not take kindly to those who

I've been thinking a lot about the day after the election. The one predominant thought that all trains of thought eventually lead back to is this one... What a day for the Church to arise! Conventional wisdom points to about three possibilities for the day after the election. First, Romney wins and Obama supporters go into depression. Rumors persist about calls for rioting, looting and the assassination of Romney. Second, Obama is re-elected and

Our Journey toward Government -- by Peter Dresser My wife, Lisa, and I are the senior pastors of Metro Detroit Christian Church.  Historically, we have not been a congregation that is active in government or politics. However, two years ago, the Holy Spirit started us on a journey toward government – a journey that I now know is central to the expression of Christ’s kingdom in our state and nation. Awakening — throwing off the lies of revisionist

I saw a problem and I knew God wanted me to do something about it! While pastoring churches since 1989, unusual opportunities arose for me to be engaged in politics. I became a bridge between faith and politics. What I saw alarmed me! Politics gladly “used” the Church for its purposes. At times the Church returned the favor. But mostly the Church turned away to keep the partisan divisiveness from entering its sacred community and from being tainted

I am grateful for my friend, Eric Moore, for asking me to write a brief article sharing my perspective on the unfolding financial crisis facing the city of Detroit, the socio/political ramifications of dealing with that crisis and some of the aspects that people of faith should consider as we respond to the crisis and the things political representatives are doing to respond to it. The city of Detroit is caught in the throes of an impending fiscal