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 …
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Call to Worship for Sunday, August 5 (#0811)
Our journey into this moment is intentional; we find ourselves fully here as we set aside activity for stillness certitude for curiosity self-interest for communal possibility We open ourselves to the Divine, seeking nurture and nourishment connection and communion healing and wholeness We welcome the possibility of transformation as together we worship the God of Many Names Read More …
Episcopalian Praise for the UCC (#0809)
John Shelby Spong served as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark for 24 years before his retirement in 2001. In retirement, he has been a prolific writer and speaker. His latest essay, "A Salute to the United Church of Christ," portrays the United Church of Christ (UCC) as a denomination with the potential to "inspire, bring about and participate in the necessary reformation required to break the Christian faith out of its dying patterns." While Spong has had Read More …
Growing Student Loan Debt (#0798)
Student loans have been a hot topic in recent weeks as the deadline approached (included in a 2007 law) for the current interest rate for subsidized Stafford loans to double (rising from 3.4% to 6.8%). When Congress passed legislation that continued the very low rate, the topic of student loans was no longer front page news. With this recent issue fresh on the minds of many, a new study provides troubling details of how quickly the amount students are borrowing is Read More …
Making Close Friends (#0795)
Alex Williams' recent New York Times article explores why it is difficult for those over age 30 to make new friends. The way life works in one's 30s, 40s, and 50s today makes it challenging to have experiences that are likely to lead to close friendships. Rebecca G. Adams, a professor of sociology and gerontology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, suggests the world which these adults inhabit lacks substantive opportunities to experience the factors sociologists find Read More …
The Best Youth Ministry Game (#0794)
Tim Schmoyer, founder of Life In Student Ministry, recently asked people to submit their favorite youth ministry game. From that list, he selected four: Cell Phone Pic Scategory Q-Tip Wars Fat Santa Shuffle Your Buns (If you are not familiar with one or more of these games, be sure to check out his post for explanations and illustrations.) So What? Every youth group has a few go to games that are always lots of fun. While I have been fortunate enough to be Read More …
It’s Your Time (#0791)
It is easy to become so comfortable in the present that one stops envisioning and striving toward a future that differs dramatically. As one ages, especially if things are going well, motivation to fully pursue one's life dream often fades. Not only does the life dream itself no longer seem as compelling, it may even be written off as unrealistic or unnecessary. So What? Whether you are 19, 91, or some age between, it's your time. Now is the best time to re-evaluate what your Read More …
Does Church Architecture Matter? (#0778)
Holly Ordway, a professor at Houston Baptist University, recently blogged about the significance of church architecture. Since most Americans live and work in spaces Ordway labels "aesthetically displeasing," she believes it is more important than ever that churches are places of beauty. She writes: Beautiful churches and cathedrals are egalitarian. They make beauty available to all — even the poorest and most culturally deprived. So What? Ordway argues for building more beautiful Read More …
Mid-Year Evaluation (#0777)
While there is a lingering culture fascination with New Year's resolutions, the emphasis is clearly making rather than keeping them. As one who has resolved more often than not to refrain from making such resolutions I surprised myself by making one in 2012. I have managed to keep it, but have found it to be more challenging than anticipated on a few occasions. So What? We have reached the mid-point of 2012: six months experienced and six months remain. This mid-point is the Read More …
Reorganizing Denominations (#0769)
In the "Under Discussion" column in the June edition of Christianity Today, six evangelical leaders responded to the question "Should denominations be organized geographically?" Their responses follow: Yes: Carl Trueman and Greg Peters Between Yes and No: Bob Thompson and R. Albert Mohler Jr. No: Will Willimon and Paul Detterman (p.12). So What? I often write about the future of denominations on this blog. The only thing about which I am certain is that the future will look Read More …