Surprised and Blessed
This is the third weekly Lenten meditation. The focus is the surprise and blessing of presence.
Chris Yaw Interviews Quinn Caldwell: Most Churches Are Too Darn Nice!
He grew up in the pews of his denomination, now Pastor Quinn Caldwell is taking the helm at Plymouth Congregational Church in Syracuse, NY and is ready to make some noise. Caldwell says many mainline denominations suffer from a sense of complacency, as if the highest calling of the Christian was quiet dignity. He is hoping to inspire people to reach out to others with the love of God.
Greg Garrett: One Day More: Spirituality at the Oscars
This year's Best Picture films seem to espouse a common spiritual message: You have to get up every morning and do the work, where you are, with what you have.
Dr. Brett Younger: Listening for the Blessing
Dr. Brett Younger reviews some of the familiar--and not so familiar--blessings we hear in church.
Bishop Rob Wright: Lent 2013: Rejection
One definition of sin is resisting Truth. God is the founding reality of all realities; that is the Truth.
David Lose: Downton Abbey and Cultural Christianity
I’ve found Downton Abbey has prompted me to think about the place and nature of the church. There’s been a fair amount written of late about the role of faith – or really the absence of faith – in the show.
Anne Howard: Our Mother Hen God: Lent and Luke 13
It’s Oscar Sunday coming up this week, and Luke could get a nod for Best Original Screenplay: he moves the Jesus story forward in a relentless march to Jerusalem and the cross. He’s got a story with some great metaphors about foxes and chickens, and it’s all colored with an undertone of danger to come. But there’s more to the story in Luke 13 than high drama.
Rituals and Practices
Rituals and practices provide rhythm, familiarity and balance in our chaotic and ritual-starved lives.
Prayer and social media: Series introduction
Project director Verity A. Jones starts off our six-week Lenten series, Prayer and social media.
Alyce McKenzie: Painful Path, Strong Faith: Reflections on Luke 13:31-35
In this season of Lent, let us expect to be uncomfortable as we walk with Jesus through resistance and discomfort toward the Cross.
Chris Yaw Interviews Andrew Holmes: Exploring the Role of Entertainment in Worship
Ordained Methodist, PhD candidate, and USA Messy Church coordinator Andrew Holmes ponders the role of ”˜fun’ when it comes to Christian worship – and at the end of the day he’s in favor of it. Hear the words of this seasoned clergyman who thinks churches miss out when they avoid lightheartedness.
Leveling Up Religion
What online games can teach religion
A Case Study in Unrestrained Emotions (A Sermon on Genesis 38:13-19)
I had the opportunity recently of preaching at University Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Hyattsville, MD. The Rev. Nathan Hill, their new senior minister, and I are members of the 2012-13 cohort of Lewis Fellows through Wesley Theological Seminary’s Center for Church Leadership, so it was special to worship God in spirit and in truth with both colleague and congregation. Lord, hear our prayers.
ON Scripture-The Bible: We’ll Walk Hand in Hand? By: Rev. Stephanie Buckhanon Crowder, Ph.D.
As an African American biblical scholar, I would tend to see what the Bible has to say about borders, foreigners, and receiving and welcoming all. What I have found at the intersection of immigration, African Americans, and the Bible is that people have a desire to belong.
Martin Copenhaver: The Feast in Your Pocket
We tend to devalue small things. Jesus never does. Instead, he points to the power in small things that we might so easily overlook.
Darkwood Brew: Listen: Hearing That Still Small Voice and Finding Your Own, Part 7
In the final part of this Darkwood Brew video series, "Listen: Hearing That Still Small Voice and Finding Your Own," Eric Elnes talks with Chuck Marohnic about "God and Music."
Like Ever!
How Taylor Swift and Jesus can help us avoid bad relationships
Lillian Daniel: The Church Calendar, New and Improved
An Important Message from Church Headquarters: Treasuring the freedom that allows us to honor our unique ancient traditions while keeping up with the times, we propose adjusting these special Sundays in the church year.
Alyce McKenzie: Appreciating Our Gifts: Andrea Bocelli, the Barefoot Contessa and Dirk Nowitski
Three very different people conspire to teach a lesson on appreciating our God-given gifts.
Bishop Rob Wright: Lent 2013: Identity Theft
Lent is the season to reclaim the truth of who we are. A time to shake off partial definitions and distorted understandings of ourselves.