Two Sundays ago the Carpenters accepted an invitation to join a team of three pastor/ families in planting a missional community in Hyde Park, Chicago.

Brad Carpenter

Twenty-five years ago South Africa was in a constant threat of genocide, this year they welcomed the nations for the World Cup. Somehow, in an incredible move, that Desmond Tutu can hardly talk about without sharing the gospel, a black-led South African government decided to value forgiveness and reconciliation over restitution and repayment of their former oppressors...Can I really believe the scriptures that Christ has completed something that repairs the jagged chasm that I have forged between me and the ones I have hurt?

Brad Carpenter

On Sunday August 1st we announced an innovative design for U4ic leadership that includes the introduction of a new team of Co-Directors. Katie Nolan has accepted a promotion to this position and will be joined by Jeremy Bouris to complete the team.

Brad Carpenter

Is the objective to win the argument?

Is the objective to defeat and humiliate those who disagree?

"When you say: Here are these people over here and they disagree with us...and they don't even deserve respect, or sympathy, I don't see how that can actually lead to anything but civil disorder."   -Timothy Keller

Brad Carpenter

"There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight." -C.S. Lewis in the preface to the Screwtape Letters

There is a book out there called "Every Man's Battle,"about the struggle for sexual purity and freedom in the lives of men, particularly Christian men. While I bristle at the assumption that there isn't a man out there who doesn't struggle, particularly to protect his eyes and his mind from the universal availability of pornography in our culture, I haven't yet met him.

Brad Carpenter

Is that what you mean when you say "That wasn't very good worship," ? Are you saying: "I didn't enjoy it because I don't think it was really about God's glory. I think today was about me. I think today was about being correct. I think today was about being popular. I think today was about designer shirts and expensive coffee."

A Good Friday Reflection stolen from the scriptures and one of my favorite poets. Writen for last years reflection on Good Friday.

My interview Heather Carpenter (my momma) about her work with Feed My Starving Children after our food packing event March 25-27, 2010.

Brad Carpenter
Reflection on 1 John 1:1-4 begun by my two year-old. How will you know Jesus if you see him?