Sometimes what we all need is some good ol’ truth-telling. The prophetic sort. The kind that we gloss over read each week from Jesus. J. Barrett Lee timed this one perfectly:

A Growing Church is a Dying Church « The Theological Wanderings of a Street Pastor.

In light of Sunday’s gospel, our call to sacrifice, here come a pastor reminding us that life springs forth from death–and only death. That growth comes from birth, not middle-age. It is a scathing indictment of our expectations, so inappropriately misplaced from our teachings. Do yourself a favor and read it before you do anything else.