Transforming Words

I'm Afraid.

Hello, old frenemy.

Sep 11 • 

Michelle Van Loon

5

August 2025

Spiritual Warfare and the Dreaded Slippery Slope

Some thoughts on what really fuels Evangelical enthusiasm for battle

Aug 14 • 

Michelle Van Loon

9

6

Teal was the color of my wake-up call about one unhealthy church

If you’ve ever been a part of an unhealthy church, the realization may unfold for you slowly over time.

Aug 6 • 

Michelle Van Loon

13

6

July 2025

I Asked. Here's What Some of You Told Me About Your Evangelicalism.

I asked.

Jul 25 • 

Michelle Van Loon

17

9

Where Else Am I Gonna Go?

A friend who read an advance copy of Downsizing: Letting Go of Evangelicalism’s Nonessentials said, “I'm amazed that you didn't give up on the church…

Jul 7 • 

Michelle Van Loon

5

6

June 2025

Reclaiming Pentecost

Though I’d heard the word “Trinity” murmured in the background of my teen journey as I was struggling to understand how and why the God I’d known…

Jun 8 • 

Michelle Van Loon

7

14

May 2025

The Fairy Tale Of "There's No Such Thing As A Perfect Church"

“There’s no such thing as a perfect church.

May 16 • 

Michelle Van Loon

12

15

April 2025

Resurrection, Unfiltered

The pair of disciples were digesting the morning’s mind-boggling news as they walked the seven miles northeast from Jerusalem to Emmaus that same…

Apr 25 • 

Michelle Van Loon

8

2

March 2025

Are You Religious But Not Spiritual?

Or maybe spiritual but not religious?

Mar 26 • 

Michelle Van Loon

4

3

February 2025

About-Face, Church

If the word “repent” conjures images of 1980’s street preachers with bullhorns yelling “Turn or burn!” at passing crowds, I’d like to use a bit of…

Feb 17 • 

Michelle Van Loon

10

2

December 2024

Cliques: Not Just For Middle School Anymore

This issue of my monthly-ish newsletter includes a reflection on churches that function as cliques versus cultivating true community, and not one, but…

Dec 30, 2024 • 

Michelle Van Loon

12

12

November 2024

Two Kinds of Hiding Places

After our recent visit to the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam and now in the wake of the recent election, I’ve been reflecting on the ways in which people…

Nov 12, 2024 • 

Michelle Van Loon

10

4