You’ve Got Mail

Letters Jesus might write to churches today.

Unlike John of Patmos, we can’t convey the words of the risen Christ. But we can imagine what words of correction and comfort Jesus would give to the churches today. That’s just what we have asked seven persons to do: use their prayerful creativity to write letters to different segments of the church as though they were speaking for the risen Christ.

Patterned after the letters to the seven churches of Asia Minor in Revelation 2–3, these contemporary church leaders have tried to discern what Christ might say through them today. How would he challenge and correct different segments of the church? How would he encourage and comfort them? While the words that follow aren’t inspired, our hope is that they will be inspiring.

  1. To the Suburban Church of North America
  2. To the Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches of North America
  3. To the Church Called Mainline
  4. To the Inner-City Pastor and Church
  5. To the Rural Church
  6. To the Church Which Seeks Seekers
  7. To the Church That Endures Persecution

Copyright © 1999 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Also in this issue

Revelation NOW: What happens when you treat Revelation like other books of the Bible—looking at its historical context before applying its message to our day? Instead of an end-of-the-world preview, you'll find wisdom to help churches stay faithful in a hostile environment.

Cover Story

Apocalypse Now

J. NELSON KRAYBILL

New President Promises Reforms

Stop the Dating Game

What Hal Lindsey Taught Me About the Second Coming

Is Revelation Prophecy or History?

David S. Dockery

Called to Hate?

Jody Veenker

Church Leader Worships Whites

Jody Veenker.

Time Out

Classic & Contemporary Excerpts from October 25, 1999

A Quaker at War with Himself

Chuck Fager

A Nation That Sang Itself Free

Getting to Know Me

To the Church That Endures Persecution by Steve Haas

Business Funnels Profits to Churches

Jody Veenker.

Church Shooting Creates New Martyrs

Christine J. Gardner

In Brief: October 25, 1999

Porn Store Reborn As Church

Lis Trouten in Minneapolis.

Virtue Folds

Church Aids Refugees Despite Violence

Lutherans and Catholics Sign Declaration on Justification

Jody Veenker.

Christian Journalists Ponder Calling

Gordon Govier.

Religious Freedom Report Released

Editorial

Moms Without Marriage

Wire Story

Pro-Life Pharmacist Sues Kmart

Religion News Service.

Wire Story

Priest Killed for Illegal Conversions

Religion News Service.

The Millenial Book Awards

Extending the Dream

Michael G. Maudlin, Managing Editor

Letters

Baptist Foundation Faces Fraud Charges

Chuck Fager.

Interview: George W. Bush on Faith-Based Plans

Christian Filmmakers Flock to End-times Features

Peter T. Chattaway.

Editorial

Make Disciples, Not Just Converts

Wire Story

Africa: Can Christianity and Islam Coexist and Prosper?

Steve Chambers in Kano, Nigeria, Religion News Service.

Apocalyptic Palette

J. Nelson Kraybill.

To the Suburban Churches of North America

Eugene H. Peterson

To the Pentecostal & Charismatic Churches by Todd Hunter

Todd Hunter

To the Church Called Mainline by William H. Willimon

William H. Willimon

To the Inner-City Pastor & Church by Gardner Taylor

To the Rural Church by Susan Wise Bauer

Susan Wise Bauer

To the Church Which Seeks Seekers by John Ortberg

View issue

Our Latest

Worship, Bible Studies, and Restoration in South Korea’s Nonprofit Prison

Jennifer Park in Yeoju, South Korea

Somang Prison, the only private and Christian-run penitentiary in Asia, seeks to treat inmates with dignity—and it sees results.

News

‘I’m Not Being Disrespectful, Mama. I Just Don’t Understand.’

America’s crisis of reading instruction is by now well-known. But have you checked on your kid’s math skills lately?

The Bulletin

Sunday Afternoon Reads: Lord of the Night

Finding God in the darkness and isolation of Antarctica.

The Russell Moore Show

Why Do Faithful Christians Defend Harmful Things?

Russell answers a listener question about how we should perceive seemingly harmful political beliefs in our church congregations.

The Complicated Legacy of Jesse Jackson

Six Christian leaders reflect on the civil rights giant’s triumphs and tragedies.

News

The Churches That Fought for Due Process

An Ecuadorian immigrant with legal status fell into a detention “black hole.” Church leaders across the country tried to pull him out.

The Bulletin

AI Predictions, Climate Policy Rollback, and Obama’s Belief in Aliens

Mike Cosper, Clarissa Moll, Russell Moore

The future of artificial intelligence, Trump repeals landmark climate finding, and the existence of aliens.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastprintRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube