church

Apologetics is a part of theology that defends religious doctrines, not apologizing for them as one might think. But Scott Bessenecker’s new book is an apology. And also a defense of the Christian church. The book is called Bad Religion Good News, An Honest Guide for the Spiritually Disappointed (Herald Press). Bessenecker is a 40-year Madison resident and employee of Madison-based InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, where he currently serves as director of global engagement and justice. “The book is me working through my repulsion, my complicity in the sins of the church,” he told a group of about 50 who gathered…

By Nicole Pollack – Wisconsin State Journal – At Madison’s largest Black church, finding space for all the programming requires some finesse. In one room with rows of narrow tables and a fireplace mantel covered in artwork, the weekly rotation includes tutoring for elementary-aged kids, computer help for older adults, painting and yoga classes and a drop-in behavioral health clinic. Mount Zion Baptist Church has about 600 members, said the Rev. Marcus Allen, Mount Zion’s senior pastor. Most of those served by its community programs are not members of the church, he said, and in 2021 the church spun off…

Awkward times at Brat Fest. Someone drops their brat in the dirt. Just keep walking. A young couple has a loud argument. Just keep walking. Somebody’s child loses it. Just keep walking. Heartland church pastor Jon McNary said that Jesus told a story about such an awkward event when he was asked how to get to heaven. Once again, McNary’s Sun Prairie church hosted the Sunday morning community worship service at Brat Fest, Madison’s annual Memorial Day weekend celebration at Alliant Energy Center’s Willow Island. Only this year they shared hosting with Madison’s Lighthouse Church. It was a bilingual service,…

By Robert Chappell – Madison 365 – Mt. Zion Baptist Church began in 1911 above a harness shop on East Washington Avenue, organized as a mission by a handful of pastors from Chicago and Milwaukee. The rent was $10 a month. A minister traveled from Chicago to preach on Sundays for $10 plus room and board. Next month, the South Madison congregation, now the second-oldest and largest predominantly Black church in Madison, will celebrate 115 years with a month of themed Sunday worship services, a new building design reveal, and a grand community worship service to close it out. Read…

Channel 3000.com – DEERFIELD, Wis. — St. Paul’s Liberty Lutheran Church is celebrating a major milestone this year, marking 175 years as one of the nation’s oldest Norwegian Lutheran congregations still worshipping in its original building. Founded in the mid-19th century, the church continues to hold services in its 1851 structure, a distinction leaders say sets it apart from many other historic congregations whose original buildings no longer stand. The anniversary will be commemorated with a series of events throughout the year that highlight the church’s history and Norwegian heritage. Read more of this story.

By Phoebe Murray – JANESVILLE, Wis. (WMTV) -Floodwaters crashed through the doors of First Lutheran Church on Friday night, trapping musicians inside as severe storms hammered Rock County. “We started to hear popping, and we ran to the front railing of the upstairs,” Biswabic said. “And all of sudden this big huge door with that thick glass exploded. It sounded like a bomb going off and everybody just about jumped out of their skin.” Biswabic and a handful of musicians had driven in from across the Midwest for a festival scheduled that night. Read more of this story.

By Bella Ferak – Channel3000.com – MADISON, Wis. — A million-dollar renewal project was revealed at the Midvale Community Lutheran Church on Sunday, opening new doors to both children and adults under their slogan, “Welcome for All.” Since 1953, the church has been a cornerstone of the Midvale community. However, over the years, members started feeling some growing pains. “We were a growing community, and it just wasn’t working for us anymore, so why not tear down the inside?” said a church member. Now, the new interior is a state-of-the-art masterpiece. Read more of this story.

By David Dahmer, Madison 365 Every first and third Saturday of the month, the S.S. Morris Community African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church food pantry ministry provides a variety of free grocery items and hygiene products to those in need in the greater Madison community. In the past few years, it has really begun to grow and serve more people. “It’s mind-blowing to me how beautiful this pantry has been and how God has just orchestrated this. It started as a simple conversation of how we could do this and within two months, we were doing it,” Lili Milton, a minister…

By Chris Rickert – Wisconsin State Journal – A year after he was shot four times at Abundant Life Christian School — including twice in the head — Samy Garduno-Martinez is able to talk, is regaining his memory and is relearning how to walk. It’s a recovery that his physicians didn’t think was possible, but that his family never stopped believing in. “I always say that when the science says no, God says yes,” said Samy’s mother, Gabriela Martinez, who ascribes Samy’s ongoing recovery to “many miracles.” Read more of this story.

By Erin Gretzinger – Madison Capital Times – On the evening of Dec. 16 last year, Marcio Sierra Jr., the senior pastor of Lighthouse Church, felt his faith being tested.  That morning, a 15-year-old student at Abundant Life Christian School opened fire on her teachers and classmates, leaving two dead and six more injured before she died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Among those most gravely wounded was then 17-year-old Samy Garduno-Martinez, who attended Lighthouse and went to the church’s school up until he went to high school at Abundant Life. More than a dozen other alumni and other students from Sierra’s congregation…