Drew Rick-Miller: The Wonderful Burden of Caregiving
In this article I want to look at some of the research around caregiving—an expansive field looking at numerous dimensions of delivering and receiving care—and challenge you and your church to think about ways this research can strengthen your ministry to those giving and receiving care.
Eric Barreto: Forgiveness: Can You Imagine It?
In his Church Anew post, Eric Barreto writes, Our human tendency to mistake urgency for importance is older than breaking news on cable TV or the latest viral tweet.
Stephanie Buckhanon Crowder: The Imposition of Imposter Syndrome
The imposition of imposter syndrome is imposters who dwell in the mendacious abyss of professional facade make life harder for others. The imposition of imposter syndrome is we suffer, society is compromised, our giftedness does not illuminate a dark, dank world when we doubt and dare not show up fully.
Mihee Kim-Kort: Pressing on in the Midst of Chaos
How do we live in the midst of chaos, of so many simultaneous crises? When we are confronted even more with the precarity, the fragility of life, it is in these moments that we can trust that we are being held up by the love and grace of God.
Luke A. Powery: Brutalizing Black bodies is an assault against God
The torture inflicted on Black people dates back to enslavement and continues to this day as a denial of their humanity, writes the dean of Duke Chapel.
Deanna Thompson: Uncomfortable Grace, Anti-Racism, and Lutheran Tradition at St. Olaf
This blog, written by Deanna A. Thompson of St. Olaf College’s Lutheran Center for Faith, Values, and Community (Northfield, Minn.), exemplifies one Lutheran institution’s commitment to anti-racism work. The Lutheran Center engages people of all backgrounds and beliefs in deep exploration of core commitments and life choices in ways that foster inclusive community, both within and beyond St. Olaf College.
Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustration - Parable (Matthew 20:1-16)
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 Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Here is a reading from Matthew 20:1-16...
Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustration: Holy Cross - God So Loved the World - John 3:13-16
Here is a Frederick Buechner reading for Holy Cross Day, September 14, based on John 3:13-16....
Walter Brueggemann: Squirming toward Newness (Psalm 114; Matthew 18:21-35)
Psalm 114 is a lyrical rendering of Israel’s Exodus memory. The Psalm readily divides into three parts, just right for a sermon sketch!
Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustration: A Path from God - Exodus 14:19-30
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 Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Here is a reading from Exodus 14:19-30....
Walter Brueggemann: Thoughts on Labor Day
When one begins to think about economics in the Bible, one immediately confronts the matter of slavery.
Dr. Monty Knight: What Kind of God?
Over roughly half-a-century as a pastoral counselor, I’ve listened to people speak of God--stated or implied—in at least three different ways. These three different kinds of God, as I’ve come to term them, are Punitive Parent, Capricious Caretaker, and Gracious Presence.
Susan Sparks: Love Your Neighbor Unless Your Neighbor is a Squirrel
I am an ordained minister who is expected to teach people to “Love your neighbor.” And I do. But recently, I found an exception to that rule. Love your neighbor . . . unless your neighbor is a squirrel.
Margaret Marcuson: What a motley space crew says about church leadership
Do you wonder how to handle the diverse personalities you’ve ended up with in your congregation? Have you seen their quirks intensify under the stress of the times we are living in? Are you finding it harder to make progress with ministry when you can’t talk in person?
Walter Brueggemann: Fall 2020: How Do We Not Live in Despair?
In 2020, the church has been driven back to basics! We are driven there in the context of the dominant narrative of our society; that is a narrative of an ongoing pandemic, scarcity, fear, greed, and violence.
Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustration: See Our Neighbors (Romans 13:8-10)
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 Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Here is this week's reading from Romans 13:8-10...
Church Anew: Policing and the Church: an Interview with Pastor Brian Herron
In part three of Church Anew’s series on policing and the church, we interview Pastor Brian Herron of Zion Baptist Church on policing in Minneapolis, MN.
Church Anew: Policing and the Church: an Interview with an Officer
In part two of Church Anew’s series on policing and the church, we interview a police officer serving a community near Minneapolis on the intersections of his job, faith, and current events.
Susan Weaver: Policing and the Church: Part One in a Series
I am doing some painful learning about my privilege and about how racist attitudes are embedded into my psyche, simply because I am part of white American culture. It’s humbling and sobering work to become aware of those attitudes and my implicit bias and intentionally address and recover from them.
Stephanie Buckhanon Crowder: The “Light” of Ella Baker
Ella Baker seized the opportunity and made a decision that would turn the tide of history. She chose to do what far exceeded herself. Although SNCC is no longer a viable entity and Baked died in 1986, her name, her work, and her spirit thrive.