The late Helmut Thielicke, noted German theologian and pastor, said that a few years ago he wanted to give one of his books a title. He wanted to call it “Church and Public.” But his publisher objected. “The Church,” his publisher stated, “doesn’t catch the public eye. Please choose another title. I’d rather not publish a flop.”

Honestly now, what do people think of when they think of the church? What do we think of when we think of the church? So many moderns when they think of the church, think of just another competing activity. Others think of boring sermons, stuffy music, unprepared Sunday School lessons, religious fanatics, judgmental critics and general indifference.

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The Rev. Hal Brady is an ordained United Methodist minister and executive director of Hal Brady Ministries, based in Atlanta. You can watch him preach every week on the Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters TV channel Thursdays at 8 p.m.

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