While there are many creative ways that young people write reports about their summer vacations that creativity rarely extends into adulthood. Rather than attempt such an ambitious project, I offer some insight into one hour of my summer vacation: worship at Naples United Church of Christ. Under Construction No church is ever complete. No community of faith has ever arrived. Every congregation is always under construction. Given these theological assertions, I was pleasantly Read More …
Post-Christendom Reality Check (#1628)
I recently finished reading Weird Church: Welcome to the Twenty-First Century (Pilgrim Press, 2016) by Beth Ann Estock and Paul Nixon. The book is an important read because it offers a fresh approach to the transition for Christendom to post-Christendom based on Spiral Dynamics alongside numerous examples of ways congregations are already innovating and how such innovations offer hope for the future. The End Christendom is over. There is no debate about that among those who Read More …
The Disappearing Religious Gender Gap (#1627)
It is relatively well known that America is a more religious country than most and that in America women are significantly more religious than men based on most traditional measures of religious belief and behavior. When I discuss religious behavior with a variety of audiences one measure resonates more than any other: attending religious services. New research suggests that the once wide gender gap in religious service is now narrowing. More specifically, it Read More …
Search for a Church: 9 Months & Counting (#1626)
Last September following a move across the country my wife and I began to search for a church. That search is ongoing. To date we have reviewed the websites of 40+ Mainline Protestant congregations in our area identified 26 congregations for visits visited 23 congregations and planned visits to the 3 remaining congregations selected 5 congregations that appear possible matches and committed to visiting each a second time this summer Several key categories help me Read More …
Global Decline in Religious Freedom (#1625)
According to the recently released United States Commission on International Religious Freedom's 2016 Annual Report religious freedom decreased from February of 2015 to February of 2016. The report also finds that "There are increasing opportunities for the U.S. government to work in concert with like-minded nations on issues relating to freedom of religion or belief." At nearly 300 pages in length, the report offers in-depth insight into the work of the Commission and the state of Read More …
Remembering Daniel Berrigan (#1624)
On Saturday the Rev. Daniel J. Berrigan passed away at the age of 94. He served as a Jesuit priest for more than 60 years and the author of more than 50 books. Berrigan is best known for his commitment to non-violence and was, in the words of fellow Jesuit James Martin, a "tireless promoter of peace." Whether or not you knew of his ministry, I encourage you to reflect on a few of his many powerful quotes: "No principle is worth the sacrifice of a single human being." Read More …
Finding Your Ferguson (#1623)
Last week I shared 5 Ways to Create a Moral Tomorrow. That list includes general issues that impact our entire nation. This week, I focus on local issues. What issue(s) within your own local community demand(s) attention? Finding Your Ferguson The Rev. Starsky Wilson has become widely known as the result of his tireless work in and around Ferguson. He served as co-chair of the Ferguson Commission and is one of three incorporators for a nonprofit called Forward Through Read More …
5 Ways to Create a Moral Tomorrow (#1622)
Deanna Vandiver, Executive Director for the Center for Ethical Living and Social Justice Renewal (New Orleans, LA), recently challenged her readers to recognize their "spiritual responsibility for a moral tomorrow." That responsibility means taking action to insist that Black Lives Matter respect the gender spectrum and offer hospitality to everyone unlimited by their pronoun welcome the immigrant stranger as friend and work for #not1moredeportation fight for $15 and living Read More …
When “It Still Works” Isn’t Good Enough (#1621)
For the better part of a year, my wife and I have been renovating the house we call our home. While we have updated many houses over the years, this time our efforts are more comprehensive. We are committed to refashioning it to our tastes and to remaking it for 2016. As the first phase was nearing completion, it became clear a second phase was needed to handle items that still worked fine but were no longer good enough. When 1989 was placed side-by-side with 2016, it was hard Read More …
Online Church Calendars (#1620)
As someone in search of a church, I have spent a fair amount of time reviewing the websites of churches in my geographic area. Thankfully most include a calendar that displays what is (or, in some cases, what is not) happening right now and in the near term future. Since I have no real connection to these communities of faith, I assume that all activities (or at least all that they think important) appear on the public calendar. Observations The size of a church (both the Read More …