Sometimes the “yes” takes you by surprise. I’ve been praying for my little brother for years and we’ve had countless spiritual conversations over those years. But as you know if you have a family member or a friend like that, you grow used to their rejection and even if you continue to share, you don’t […]
Elders of Chapel Hill
In Chapel Hill’s denomination, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC), there are typically three offices in the church: Ministers of the Word (Teaching Elders, Pastors), Ruling Elders, and Deacons. Elders share authority with the Pastors, representing the mind of Christ as they understand it in the various courts of the church, watch over the spiritual welfare […]
An Incredible Hire!
Five years ago, I began to think seriously about my retirement date and the process of transition. I wanted to do all I could to ensure a smooth handoff of leadership to the next Senior Pastor. But I was also aware of several key administrative leaders on our staff who are of my “vintage” and […]
Student Scholarships Available
Chapel Hill is pleased to offer Margaret Burnham Memorial & Rhoda B Simerson Scholarships to 12th-grade students or currently enrolled college students. These scholarship funds will be awarded to students who have demonstrated faithfulness to Christ and to the ministries and mission of Chapel Hill, and are deemed most likely to make an impact for […]
My Last Easter as Your Senior Pastor
I still remember my first Easter at Chapel Hill. It was April 3, 1988. (I didn’t actually remember the date! I had to look that up.) We were worshipping in what we now call the Memorial Chapel. Chapel Hill offered three services and packed the place out with more than 700 in attendance regularly. It […]
Journeying Through Holy Week: Unveiling the Heart of the Gospel
This week, we embark on the journey we call Holy Week. We gather in a variety of ways to follow our Lord Jesus in his final days. For those of us who have been Christians for some time, it can be easy to forget the significance of each of the days that we celebrate as […]
Read More… from Journeying Through Holy Week: Unveiling the Heart of the Gospel
Celebrating Alpha
I often get asked how many people attended Alpha and to share the stories of those who came to faith. These are definitely things worth celebrating, but one question I rarely get asked is how many people invited to Alpha or to share a story of someone who invited to Alpha. Those stories demonstrate the […]
Clean
One thing that we became more aware of after COVID-19 is cleanliness. Think of the things we enjoy more if they are “clean”? Maybe we think of doorknobs, bathrooms, kitchen counters, floors, drawers, garages, cell phones, computer screens or keyboards, microwave ovens, refrigerators, our clothes, our hands, teeth, sheets, pillowcases, windows, car windshields. The list […]
Serve on Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday is one of the biggest church-going days of the year. Of course, Christians gather to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but have you ever thought about the fact that many people come to church on Easter who haven’t been in a very long time…or ever? You can be […]
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
Dependent on when you read this, we are about halfway through the season of the church calendar called Lent. During this 40-day period, Christians may fast from something like sweets, social media, television and spend time reflecting on Christ’s sacrificial death. I started Lent out strong. I love a good challenge. I love goals. I […]