Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustration for Ash Wednesday: Denouncer of Piety (Matthew 6:1-5)
For special days in the Christian calendar, we post an additional reading from the Revised Common Lectionary and pair it with a Frederick Buechner reading on the same topic. Here are his insights for Ash Wednesday...
B. Hunter Farrell: The Power of Co-Development
"The thought of dirt-poor peasants working for 16 years with picks and shovels to access water for their children made my definition of hope look pretty wimpy." An excerpt from the book, "Freeing Congregational Mission."
Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustration: Lent (Luke 4:1-13)
In our blog post each Monday a reading from the Revised Common Lectionary and pair it with a Frederick Buechner reading on the same topic. This Sunday we will celebrate the First Sunday in Lent. Here is the reading from the gospel of Luke:
Susan Sparks: Walk Out and Look Up
As a bit of inspiration today, I'd like to share a piece based on a recent sermon published by The Christian Citizen. I have to say - I love this one. I mean I like most things I write . . . but this one feels special. I hope you enjoy it.
Greg Cootsona: Meditating on the Two Books
We live in a world defined by science and technology, and sometimes it’s hard to see how and where our faith fits. The amazing discovery we’ve made at Science for the Church is that science and technology can dramatically enhance our faith.
Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustration: Freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17)
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 Transfiguration Sunday. Here is a reading from 2 Corinthians...
David Crumm: Can the prophetic voice of E. Stanley Jones revive a life-giving love of Jesus?
In his heyday, Jones was a global Christian teacher who most Americans considered as important as Billy Graham in spreading the message of Jesus around the world. He was a prophetic voice against racism within Christianity and also had an enormous impact in worldwide interfaith relationships.
Walter Brueggemann: There are Conspiracies and Then There are Conspiracies
We have become inured to seemingly pervasive political response to find “conspiracy” at every level of opposition. Many readily assume that there are hidden and secret powers lurking around voting machines seeking to overthrow the legitimacy governance, whether it may be “the deep state,” interference from Venezuela, or the anti-Semitic tropes of money clustered in Hollywood.
Drew Rick-Miller: Science and Public Witness: A Ministry Profile of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
While The Standard Model—as we see in the good and faithful work of Holy Trinity—may not be sufficient to undo the church’s decreased influence in our culture, we believe it is a necessary part of the solution.
Diana Butler Bass: The Mystical Body of Zoom
Diana Butler Bass says online church is a gift to be embraced.
Frederick Buechner Weekly Sermon Illustration: Turn the Other Cheek (Luke 6:27-29)
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 the Epiphany. Here is this week's reading from the gospel of Luke...
Church Anew: You Who Casts Our Fear & Other Writings from Walter Brueggemann
Today we share two pieces from the writings of Walter Brueggemann: You Who Casts Out Fear and Meditations on Social Location. We invite you to join in Dr. Brueggemann’s prayer and to understand his history.
Eric Barreto: Not Later. Today.
I want us to dwell on one word in Luke 4, one word that makes all the difference in how we read this text, how we come to understand the shape of God’s salvation, how we come to embody a ministry faithful to the good news of Jesus. That word is today. Today.
Drew Rick-Miller: The Standard Model (of Science for the Church)
This is what Science for the Church is about. Bringing science to church will continue to be awkward or worse until the church learns how to do it and do it well.
Frederick Buechner Sermon Illustration: Tree (Jeremiah 17:5-8)
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 the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany. Here is this week's reading from the book of Jeremiah...
Susan Sparks: We are Children of a God with a Sense of Humor
Recently, I came across this short piece I wrote in seminary. Although created many years ago, it still captures the essence of why I do what I do. Enjoy!
Greg Cootsona: Devotional: Beauty Is God-Deep
I’m currently teaching a Bible study called “On a Crash Course with the Old Testament.” It began at Genesis 1 and thus with faith and science. What was immediately intuitive to my students?
Walter Brueggemann: Strike! Best Pitches of Christian Life
What if we think about these three “best pitches” of the Christian life, with a network helping us to improve our skills at these aspects of our “proper work”?
Frederick Buechner Weekly Sermon Illustration: Vocation
Here is a helpful comment by Dr. Frederick Buechner on the subject of vocation, from his book "Wishful Thinking."
Jenny Sung: The Church on Noah’s Ark - What will you bring?
What if we are currently in a Noah’s ark situation within the Church? We can hear the waves rising, and screams of Church leaders telling us not to panic. However, every part of us knows something is about to give.