Walter Brueggemann: Reflecting Awe: Intersecting Pietism, Faith, and Science
My theme for this comment comes from a question my friend, Conrad Kanagy, posed for me amid his work to narrate my life. He asked about the attitude of my childhood faith toward science. I am glad for his invitation to reflect on the matter.
Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustration: Hope (Romans 5:1-5 )
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 Second Sunday after Pentecost. Here is this week's reading from Romans 5:1-5 ...
Greg Cootsona: Another Way of Slicing the Science-Faith Pie
It’s easy to fall into just a few ways of relating science and faith. Classically, physicist and theologian Ian Barbour set out four categories: conflict, independence, dialogue, and integration.
Frederick Buechner's Sermon Illustration - Trinity Sunday: Creation
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 Trinity Sunday. Here is this week’s reading from Genesis 1:1-12...
Ed Rosado: Mental Health: Come to Me, and I will Give You Rest
Mental health impacts daily life and relationships and can affect a person’s professional, social, and family life. And while some suggest that there are no scientific dimensions to pastoral care, mental health is a place where scientific advancements and pastoral care converge.
Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustration for Pentecost Sunday: Prophet
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 Day of Pentecost. Here is this week’s reading from Numbers 11:24-29...
Natalia Terfa: Digital Communities Are Embodied Communities
I recently had the honor of listening in on some seminary students defending their theses, and it reminded me of two clear truths: (1) The emerging leaders are alright. (2) Challenging the status quo/institution/empire has not gotten easier.
Walter Brueggemann: Trees: Signals of Hope and Defiance
This is an unabashed commendation of a book. The book by Franck Prevot is entitled Wangari Maathai: The Woman Who Planted Millions of Trees (2015).
Eric Barreto: Not Knowing (Luke 9:28-36)
This sermon was originally delivered by one of Church Anew’s advisors, Rev. Dr. Eric Barreto, as part of the opening worship for Renew 2023.
Rebecca Randall: Bridging the Gap between Black Churches and Mental Health
Beginning with the church, Marquez Johnson wants to change the mental health stigma in Black communities.
Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustration: To Suffer in Love
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 Sixth Sunday of Easter. Here is this week’s reading from 1 Peter 3:13-17...
David Howell: An Excerpt from His New Novel, "Buried Dreamer"
Newly arrived from Scotland due to a shipwreck, the Reverend Charles Stuart and Samantha Stuart sit on the front porch of Claire McFadden's house in Kilmarnock, Virginia on November 4, 1849...
Margaret Marcuson: Slow thinking or fast thinking?
Churches can make big decisions without enough reflection. But a lot of dithering goes on in church board meetings.
Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustration: What It Means to Be a Christian
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 of Easter. Here is this week’s reading from John 14:6...
Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustration: Clown in the Belfry
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 of Easter. Here is this week’s reading from Psalm 23...
Marcia McFee: Metamorphosis Moment: Ritual Artistry and the Work of the People
Shifting the mindset from “what can we do about this predicament” to “what will we do with this possibility?” opens us up to so many opportunities for growth.
Susan Sparks: Lord, Give Me Patience - And Make It Snappy!
It’s hard to have patience in a sound bite world. That said, it is a virtue worth cultivating. We see this lesson over and over in scripture.
Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustration: Lazarus
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 in Lent. Here is this week’s reading from John 11:1-45...
Greg Cootsona: The Neuroscience of Teaching Christian Formation
To have our minds “consolidated,” to be integrated, is certainly one important way that we are “transformed by the renewing of the mind.”
Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustration: Darkness
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 in Lent. Here is this week’s reading from the book of Ephesians 5:8-10.