“Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of…
Al Mohler vs. Andy Stanley: What’s really going on?
The ultra-conservative Calvinist complementarian crowd has been seeking evidence to convict Andy Stanley of “liberalism” for years, and now they think they’ve found the smoking gun. Except their “evidence” would only hold up if the jury were made up of…
More religion in public schools raises concerns about religious liberty
Editor’s note: This is the sixth opinion piece in a new series on religious liberty authored by BJC Fellows and made possible by a grant from the Prichard Family Foundation. Religious practices, actors, displays and institutions are becoming increasingly…
In biblical truth-telling, we need to mind the gap between clergy and laity
It doesn’t surprise me that new research shows white mainline Protestant clergy are more supportive of LGBTQ rights, abortion rights and racial justice than their congregations. I’ve been there, done that and have the scars to prove it. From my…
A ‘sad day’ for America?
Members of the Freedom Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives have made it clear how strongly disappointed they would be if Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy decides to avoid a government shutdown with support from House Democrats. “It…
In the midst of history-engendered pessimism, don’t forget the hope
History books are full of horror stories. As we look back with perspective, we read embarrassing tales of incompetent and foolish people, fearful and gullible nations, evil and egocentric leaders, entire eras that seem to have been characterized by ignorance, avarice, selfishness, myopia and bigotry. We can…
Sometimes, ‘resignation’ isn’t the reason clergy walk away from their ministry callings
Let me begin this article by acknowledging some truths about myself. I am a cisgender white female who has never been a pastor, though a minister I have been. I also am married to a cisgender white male who has…
Life lessons learned while pondering ‘that little man!’
It has been several years now, but I remember it vividly. My mother, who in her declining years spent much time in the hospital, was back in a private room in Rush’s Hospital in my hometown, Meridian, Miss. She was…
Reflecting upon a new opportunity to minister to senior adults
In every job interview since I graduated from seminary, when asked the question, “What are your long-term career goals?” I have always answered, “Directing a spiritual care program with older adults at a retirement community or in a memory care…