Blog

Church, We Need To Talk About Race
We need to talk about race. Yes, I know it probably makes you a little uncomfortable. I know issues around race have been highly politicized. I know conversations can often be polarizing. But the only thing more dangerous than talking about race... is not talking...

Back To School Backpack Giveaway!
We are excited to announce our partnership with Shiloh Baptist Church on a Back-To-School Backpack Giveaway that will serve kids from all over the East End of downtown Lexington. Every year, the YMCA provides backpacks and school supplies for kids in need across...

How To Be A Religious Nut
"You remember the way things used to be? Back when the people did it the way it was supposed to be done? We've lost sight of the way we should be doing it, and I'll do whatever it takes to get us back to that." Sound familiar? You've probably heard something similar...

Stop. Rethink Everything.
One of the most vivid memories I have of my time in college was the street preachers who stood in the common areas of campus. These men in suits would hold signs that told of God's judgement and yell at passing students about the dangers of their fornication and...

Don’t Look Away
Eye contact. You pull up to the stop light, and standing feet away from you is the man with the sign. He looks predictably disheveled and dirty, his sign asking for help through the means of a sad story. Eye contact, in these situations, is usually not something I...

Church, We Need A Better Story
It's almost every week now. A text, a meeting over coffee or drinks, or maybe lunch, and it goes something like this: "Justin, I'm not sure what I think about Church anymore."Â Enough ink has been spilled and enough blogs have been posted about the decline of Church...

God Is Building Us Together
Around 10 years ago, my wife and I were missing something. We were a year into marriage and active in our church. Everything was going fine, but spiritually, we needed to take a new step together. I had read a book that had made a particular impact on me, and on a...

Pentecost In The Streets
Holy-rollers. Religious nuts. That's usually the first thing most people think when they think of Pentecost. I grew up Baptist, and while we certainly believed in the Holy Spirit, we believed like we do in Grizzly Bears: sure He exists, just not around these parts. He...

Throwback: Acts Reading Plan
Over the summer, we're reading through the book of Acts together as a community. Below you'll find a reading plan to help you make your way through! May 28Â 1:1-11 29Â Â 1:12-26 30Â Â 2:1-13 31Â Â 2:14-41 June 1Â Â 3:1-11 2 Â 3:12-26 3 Â 4:1-22 4 Â 4:23-31 5 Â Â 4:32-5:11 6Â ...

Throwback: As It Was, As It Can Be
On my shelf at home, you'll find a lot of records. I'm talking about old school vinyl, from U2 to Ray Charles to Earth Wind & Fire to Rolling Stones. There's also a few newer artists thrown in there, like Ryan Adams and The Lone Bellow. Sure, I have access...