In Indiana, Kansas and Nebraska, I heard stories of small congregations dying. Nothing terribly new about that information. However, the pastors all told the same story: their congregation isn't dying because of LGBT controversies or a failure to engage in liturgical reform. They are dying because the towns in which they are located are dying. One pastor said, "We no longer have a school, post office or cop. Pretty soon, we will no longer have a Presbyterian Church." The city of Detroit lost about one-quarter of its population in just the last decade. Think what that is doing to the local congregations there.

to raise -- verb 1. to be able to be lifted or pulled up: The window raises easily. 2. (in cards, poker, etc.): to increase a previous bet or bid: My cards weren't good enough to let me raise.

During this past month I have served as a chaplain intern at Providence Hospital working both in the psyche unit and the emergence room (ER). This job is physically exhausting both because I am constantly on my feet and because I must be present with people who suffer every imaginable affliction. One cannot see suffering without being touched.

I grew up "going to church." My family went to Southside Estates Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville, FL. Each Sunday, I heard and interacted with Bible Stories. I saw my friends. I sat through a sermon. I sang hymns. And then, with my family, went home. There were opportunities during the week to go back to the building-choir practice, youth group and fellowship dinners. On occasion we would meet at the building and then leave to go somewhere else-youth retreats or service projects. Very rarely did what happened on Sunday morning appear during the week.