One of my current roles is organizing adult educational offerings at Naples United Church of Christ (Naples, FL). Since our congregation grows significantly during season (the time of year when many snowbirds visit), we provide a more robust program during that portion of the year. A preview of some of the highlights of the season to come (Advent 2012 - Pentecost 2013) follows: General Education internet guru Marcus Zillman memory expert Dr. Bill Beckwith Read More …
Discipleship
Obama & Romney on Faith (#0834)
President Barrack Obama and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney both responded to questions about their religious experiences in the current edition of "Cathedral Age," the quarterly magazine of the Washington National Cathedral. Their responses to the question "How does faith play a role in your life?" follow: Romney: Faith is integral to my life. I have served as a lay pastor in my church. I faithfully follow its precepts. I was taught in my home to Read More …
Social Media Benefits the Homeless (#0833)
A recent study conducted by Art Jipson, a sociologist and criminologist at the University of Dayton, found that "social media . . . tear down economic and geographic barriers to help homeless people connect to their families and support networks." More specifically, Jipson learned that homeless people leverage free services like Facebook and Twitter to find food, shelter and job services, and to keep up with family and friends. All they need is a smart phone or public library Read More …
TV Bible Game Show (#0832)
The American Bible Challenge may well be the first religiously themed game show on a secular network. The show premiered this week, and airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT on GSN (formerly the Game Show Network). Hosted by Jeff Foxworthy, this program "tests biblical knowledge in culture, history, literature and current events." While the target audience is evangelicals, consulting producer Maura Dunbar hopes it will reach a much wider audience. If you would like to Read More …
From Bigotry to Critical Thinking (#0829)
Charles Negy, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Central Florida, is receiving considerable attention after an e-mail he sent to the students in his cross-cultural psychology class in January was posted on reddit a few days ago. Kaustuv Basu's article explains that Negy wrote the note after a class session about religion in which several Christian students behaved in a manner described as bigoted. Since any excerpt from the note would not allow my Read More …
A Challenge to Change (#0826)
Cynthia Rigby, professor of theology at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, recently contributed to Bill McKenzie's Texas Faith Blog on the topic of whether or not religion has lost its bite. Rigby's words are appropriately challenging for those who follow the way of Jesus: The point of true religion is not to notarize our behaviors, but to challenge us to change. The Gospel pulls the rug out from under us and our ways by telling us we should do radical things such as Read More …
Radical Hospitality Isn’t Enough (#0825)
Scott Benhase, Episcopal Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia, recently wrote that radical hospitality alone is no longer adequate. In his understanding, the theology most commonly undergirding radical hospitality is such that it supposes something of a "law of attraction" wherein "if we’re just open and welcoming enough people will naturally be attracted to us and want to come and join our churches." In reality, the number of people who are attracted continues to dwindle thereby 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 …
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 …
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 …