Faith without works is dead (see James 2:17 if you want a Christian text to support the claim). I am not big on religious language, but sometimes it just makes sense. Some Christian traditions include prayers of confession that mention sins or wrongs of omission alongside those of commission. Sins or wrongs of omission - of not acting - are just as troublesome as those of commission. Take a Side I was saddened over the weekend to learn of the passing Holocaust survivor and Read More …
Discipleship
View from the Pew: 12 Sacred Spaces (#1632)
Most followers of the Way of Jesus have a primary sacred space in which they gather for corporate worship. Opportunities to experience elsewhere with another group of people are typically few and far between. While these words describe the norm, I have been living the exception since last September. Over the last several months I have visited a new sacred space and worshiped with a new community of faith most weeks. Previously, I have shared images of my Read More …
Less Really is More (#1630)
My own journey from conspicuous consumption to intentional minimalism didn't get started until the fourth decade of my life. For me the first lessons that less really can be more came when I relocated across the country in 2007 to a place with far more expensive housing than anything I had ever experienced. (If you want to learn more about what this has been like for me I invite you to check out "How Much is Enough.") It seems the desire to live more simply often begins at Read More …
My Summer Vacation Worship Report (#1629)
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 …
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 …
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 …