The World Council of Churches suggests that prayer is at the heart of the ecumenical movement. The ecumenical prayer cycle is designed to encourage people to pray for every region of the world by focusing on a specific region each week of the year. This week's focus is This week we pray for So What? There are many ways your congregation could encourage participation in the ecumenical cycle of prayer, including prominently displaying a visual reminder on your Read More …
Organizational Clarity (#0821)
Last week Scott Williams wrote several blog posts summarizing the sessions he attended at the Willow Creek Association Global Leadership Summit, including one on a session led by Patrick Lencioni on the importance of organizational health. Lencioni is the author of ten business books and president of The Table Group, where he focuses on writing and speaking about leadership and organizational life. Williams shares Lencioni's six questions every organization must Read More …
Recovering from Disappointment (#0820)
Ron Edmondson recently shared his list of 10 ways to recover from major disappointments: Reconnect with God Evaluate your life Create some new dreams Call in the advisors Don't take your pain and anger out on others Take a break When it's time, be willing to risk again Don't let failure or disappointment define you Do something Get back in the game So What? The list of possible major disappointments one can experience in life is nearly endless. When struggling with a Read More …
Prayer of Dedication for Sunday, August 12 (#0819)
God of unexpected provision and unending love we place before You our offerings and our lives. Multiply what we bring and change who we are for the sake of advancing Your realm. Open before us the possibilities of ministry and guide our community of faith in the way of Jesus. Amen. Read More …
Call to Worship for Sunday, August 12 (#0818)
Leaving behind our busy lives we enter this sacred space for a holy hour seeking an experience that begins but never ends. In losing ourselves we find ourselves; In pursuing God's reign, we participate in it. Pressing on toward what is ahead, let us worship God. Note: The call to worship is followed by congregational singing of Come Away from Rush and Hurry. The first 2:40 of video below features Josh Bales singing those words. Read More …
Unusual Job Perks (#0817)
Before the economic downturn job perks at top companies were significant and, in many cases, expanding. During the most recent lean years many companies have scaled back in all areas, including perks. Google is well known for its creative work spaces and generous perks. Earlier this year they added a new death benefit payable to the surviving partner or spouse of any employee who dies. More specifically, Google will "pay the spouse or partner of a deceased staffer Read More …
An Extravagant Welcome (#0816)
John Acuff recently shared the extravagant (and lengthy!) welcome found in the bulletin at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Community in Daytona Beach, FL: We extend a special welcome to those who are single, married, divorced, gay, filthy rich, dirt poor, yo no habla Ingles. We extend a special welcome to those who are crying new-borns, skinny as a rail or could afford to lose a few pounds. We welcome you if you can sing like Andrea Bocelli or like our pastor who can’t carry a note in a Read More …
Religion in Your County (#0815)
I was pleasantly surprised to learn the Association of Religion Data Archives offers free and easily searchable county-level information on religion (a big thanks to Jerry Park for mentioning it a few days ago). A few seconds after clicking through to the site I was viewing data on my current county of residence. The bar graph appears below, but the actual data produced by the county search includes the 2010 report broken down by religious bodies and the ability to see Read More …
12 Marks of Convergence Christianity (#0814)
Eric Elnes, Senior Minister of Countryside Community Church (UCC) and host of Darkwood Brew, has recently written several blog posts on Convergence Christianity. His latest post features twelve defining characteristics, which are evenly divided into three categories: Love of God, Love of Neighbor, and Love of Self. Elnes attributes resonate with others, including Brian McLaren, Phyllis Tickle, Frank Schaeffer, and Diana Butler Bass. Love of God They are letting go Read More …
Review of No Longer Invisible (#0813)
Meet the Authors Douglas Jacobsen and Rhonda Hustedt Jacobsen have been married for more than three decades, and both serve as professors at Messiah College. Douglas is distinguished professor of church history and theology (I have reviewed his most recent work: The World's Christians). Rhonda is professor of psychology and director of faculty development. Together they have co-authored three books: Scholarship and Christian Faith: Enlarging the Read More …