Drew Rick-Miller/Science for the Church: Why Care About Creation? Part 3
In the previous two newsletters, I outlined seven rationales for why Christians should care about the environment. They are all compelling, but if the church is going to get folks talking about creation care and motivate increasing numbers of us to take our roles as stewards of the earth more seriously, we need more than secular arguments with a Christian gloss.
Martin Davis: What does it mean that American evangelicals are in decline?
One of the most striking series of headlines about religion in July 2021 concerns the decline in self-identified evangelicals in America, triggered by new data from the Public Religion Research Institute. To help put this news in context, here are the perspective of journalist and author Martin Davis.
Angela Denker: A God Who Cares? A Meditation on John 11:32-37
In times of great pain, both global and personal, I often find myself returning again and again to these verses from John 11. The image of my Savior, weakened, weeping and disturbed, is so unworldly and unexpected that it draws me near again and again, and I remember that the God I worship is so very different than the god the world idolizes.
Drew Rick-Miller/Science for the Church: Why Care for Creation? Part 2
Our churches are often divided over climate change. A discussion of the topic will generate much heat–and whether it is a heat that illuminates or burns is unclear.
Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustration: Nathan (2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a)
In our blog post every Monday we select a reading from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday, and pair it with a Frederick Buechner reading on the same topic. Next Sunday, we will celebrate The Tenth Sunday After Pentecost. Here is this week’s reading from 2 Samuel 11:26 - 12:13a.
Drew Rick-Miller/Science for the Church: Why Care About Creation? Part 1
“Talk about it.” Those three words are what Katharine Hayhoe tells the church and every other community to do if they want to learn how to support the long-term well-being of Earth and all its inhabitants.
Frederick Buechner's Sermon Illustration: Uriah the Hittite (2 Samuel 11:1-15)
In our blog post every Monday we select a reading from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday, and pair it with a Frederick Buechner reading on the same topic. Next Sunday we will celebrate The 9th Sunday After Pentecost. Here is this week’s reading from the book of 2 Samuel...
Frederick Buechner's Sermon Illustration: Healing (Mark 6:30-34, 53-56)
In our blog post every Monday we select a reading from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday, and pair it with a Frederick Buechner reading on the same topic.
Mark Elsdon: We Aren't Broke: Uncovering Hidden Resources for Mission and Ministry
We are not broke. We are invited to innovate and transform lives and institutions using the abundance of gifts that God has given us. There is enormous possibility and hope. Read this Church Anew excerpt from a new book.
Greg Carey: Critical Race Theory: Coming to Terms
Many Americans, particularly White Christians, probably hadn’t heard the term “critical race theory” until quite recently. I imagine many people, and many pastors, could simply use an introduction to the movement. The conversation has been around for decades, and I think it’s helpful to lay out what CRT is and what it is not.
Greg Cootsona/Science for the Church: Following the Sunbeam Back to the Sun
Why is our relationship with nature so broken, and can it be fixed?
Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustration - Herod Antipas (Mark 6:14-29)
In our blog post every Monday we select a reading from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday, and pair it with a Frederick Buechner reading on the same topic. Next Sunday we will celebrate the Seventh Sunday After Pentecost. Here is this week’s reading from Mark 6:14-29...
Drew Rick-Miller: Summer Reading and Watching - Science for the Church
Here we offer our 2021 recommendations for books and films with the hope that, like us, you have extra bandwidth in July and August to sit with them.
Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustration - Paul (2 Corinthians 12:2-10)
In our blog post every Monday we select a reading from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday, and pair it with a Frederick Buechner reading on the same topic. Next Sunday we will celebrate The Seventh Sunday After Pentecost. Here is this week’s reading 2 Corinthians 12:2-10...
Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustration - Jairus's Daughter (Mark 5:21-43)
In our blog post every Monday we select a reading from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday, and pair it with a Frederick Buechner reading on the same topic. Next Sunday we will celebrate the Fifth Sunday After Pentecost. Here is this week’s reading from Mark 5:21-43...
Drew Rick-Miller: Make Your Face Shine Upon Us
I experienced a post-pandemic first last week, flying for the first time in nearly 18 months (to attend an in-person meeting no less). Then, upon my return home, I learned something even more exciting. Our church is returning to in-person worship next month. I can’t wait to pass the peace face-to-face.
Walter Brueggemann: When the Music Starts Again
Any family or communal festive occasion can become a “sign” or a marker. It could be a graduation, a birthday, a funeral, or a reunion. But let us consider a wedding … a wedding as a “sign” or a marker of social, historical significance. This is how it was for the ancient prophet Jeremiah as he watched his beloved Jerusalem sink into misery.
Luke A. Powery: There's Work to Do - or, An open letter to my children
Some may shake their heads in disapproval or approval of the election results, but the bottom line is that there’s work to do, says the dean of Duke Chapel in this sermon.
Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustration - David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49)
In our blog post every Monday we select a reading from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday, and pair it with a Frederick Buechner reading on the same topic. Next Sunday we will celebrate The Fourth Sunday After Pentecost. Here is this week’s reading from the book of 1 Samuel...
Greg Cootsona: Talking with Mako Fujimura about Art, Science, Beauty, and Justice - Science for the Church
I met world renowned painter Mako Fujimura sometime in the late 1990s when I was a pastor at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City. That’s when I began to realize he is a gifted and unique artist and a profoundly thoughtful Christian theologian. Here are highlights from our hour-long conversation.