Bishop Will Willimon: Our Spanish-Speaking Churches in the Aftermath of HB56
Though almost all of our fledgling United Methodist Christians were documented, in just two months we saw our congregations decimated and all of our prayerful work destroyed.
A Celebration of Marriage
My wife and I recently celebrated five years of marriage. It hasn’t been a stroll in the park though. There have been high highs and low lows. Thankfully, God has guided our steps, and used the good, bad, and ugly of it all to draw us closer to one another as husband and wife. God has turned us into people that barely resemble their former selves, but that is a good thing!
BlackVoices Preach! William Flippin, Princeton Parker, Wil Gafney
This week Rev. William E. Flippin focuses onthe African principle, Ubuntu. Princeton Parker looks to scripture for answers on how to bring unity in spite of strong divisions--even over sports. And Rev. Wil Gafney addresses the bizarre Eddie Long video that circulated last week.
Dr. Jamie Jenkins: Let Us Bloom Where We Are Planted
Each of us has opportunities to make a difference. To bring hope and help to our world. What idea has God planted in your mind and heart? What need do you see that moves you to want to find a solution?
The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori: What It Means to Be Church
In a recent sermon, the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church says, "Be and build a community in which others can meet God, and learn holy ways of living in this world. That’s our reason for being, that’s what it means to be church."
Paul Raushenbush: Ask Pastor Paul
The Rev. Paul Raushenbush, editor of The Huffington Post Religion section, answers questions and offers spiritual advice.
Dr. Greg Carey: Revelation in Context: Letters and Symbols
Part 2 of 3 on the Book of Revelation: This might come as a surprise to many, but Revelation's interpreters have arrived at a general consensus regarding why John wrote the Apocalypse, particularly the circumstances surrounding Revelation's composition.
Roy Lloyd: When Impossibilities Happen
There are many imponderables in life””truly great surprises such as the New York Football Giants actually making it to the Super Bowl! And the Bible is filled with stories of much more significant impossibilities coming true.
Grace Within the Noise
We are to listen for the sounds of grace, the melody of hospitality and the rhythm of mercy, but the noise surrounding us makes this difficult. We seek the sounds of grace despite the noise because the love of God beckons us to sing.
Dr. Peter Marty: Getting What We Never Deserve
In his latest column for The Lutheran magazine, Peter Marty says the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) is really about his dad's character and unconditional love.
What Helps Ministry Relationships Last?
Ministry is about relationships - no relationships, no ministry. As I reflect on the many things I have learned from our marriage, I see elements that have kept us going that can help church leaders, too.
The Church Needs Women...in Leadership
So it’s been popular lately for certain evangelical “celebrities” to go on the offensive with their so-called “masculine” approach to Christianity. They claim that God intended the Church to have a “masculine feel.” I'd like to think Scripture has a few examples of women called to be in positions of leadership.
Carol Howard Merritt: Systemic Distortion
Not many people in our denominations would admit to being a racist. And yet, we hear stories of systemic discrimination on a constant basis. What are we going to do about it?
Dr. Thomas Lane Butts: What Time Is It?
Someone asked Yogi Berra, "What time is it", and in typical "Yogi" fashion he asked, "You mean right now?". Sam Keen once said, "Wisdom is knowing what time it is in your life". It is important for us to know what time it is right now.
She who Suffers - God and Evil
At times of suffering how can we believe in a God of love?
ON Scripture: Kathryn Schifferdecker: Isaiah 40:21-31: On Faith and Football
This Sunday, tens of millions of people will watch the New England Patriots and the New York Giants face off in the Super Bowl. And as it happens, the Scripture reading appointed for worship is Isaiah 40:21-31...
“It’s complicated”: When digital ministry gets REALLY real
Guest blogger Elizabeth Drescher explores the challenges that come with digital ministry when relationship issues get messy in public.
David Crumm Interviews Hymnwriter John Bell
David Crumm, editor of ReadtheSpirit.com, interviews John Bell, who is personally responsible for a long list of hymns and anthems sung in churches around the world, and is a popular teacher on Iona-Celtic-Christian approaches to prayer, worship and work with the world’s most needy communities.
Bishop Will Willimon: We Believe in Social Righteousness
John Wesley preached “practical Christianity.” Few United Methodist practices illustrate our practical Christianity more vividly than our Social Principles(which have their roots in the “social creed” of our church which dates from the early Twentieth Century).
BlackVoices Preach! Alisha Gordon, Princeton Parker and William Flippin Jr. on God's Light
In this week's BlackVoices Preach! from HuffingtonPost.com, we hear from Alisha Gordon, Princeton Parker, and William Flippin Jr. on God's Light.