This isn’t just about the law or the president. It’s about us, the “white us,” engaged in actions with frightening implications for, with or about white Christianity, compelling us to ask hard questions of our churches and each other.
The legal skirmish over online ordinations offers a chance to reaffirm what ordination really means
Hundreds of thousands of people have gone online to get ordained – not because they had a calling, not because a congregation had affirmed their gifts for ministry, not because they had completed a theological education and preparation for ministry – but so they could certify marriages.
As a first generation Mexican-American woman and Baptist minister, I too struggle with how to respond to border atrocities
What I will take away from my five days in south Texas is this: Unless we are willing to let go of systems and theologies that target the vulnerable, unless we are willing to recognize our own Saul-like tendencies, I don’t think the scales will fall from our eyes.
Opening our imaginations to God’s inclusive way so that all women in all places may flourish
The challenges for Baptist women around the world continue to be immense, especially in churches where their gifts and callings are restricted and undervalued. We need to invite girls and women into God’s inclusive way.
Abriendo nuestra imaginación a la manera inclusiva de Dios para que todas las mujeres en todos los lugares puedan florecer
Los desafíos para las mujeres bautistas en todo el mundo siguen siendo inmensos, especialmente en las iglesias donde sus dones y llamamientos son restringidos y subvaluados. Necesitamos invitar a las niñas y a las mujeres a adentrarse en la manera más inclusiva de Dios.
Racists don’t get to determine who’s a racist
Those of us who have the most to learn are the ones who seldom have been victims of racism ourselves, who think we know what racism means but in reality do not know the definition. What scares me is the seemingly vast number of Christians who know the definition and simply don’t care.
I’m on a mission to rid the world of theological malarkey
I recently used the term “theological malarkey” in response to a question related to Trinitarian theology. That has inspired me to call out a few other forms of theological malarkey in American religion today.
Why all congregational ministry should be trauma ministry
Persons who have experienced trauma are among those gathered for worship every Sunday. Congregations have a unique opportunity to serve these persons through trauma-informed care. That not only includes helping persons heal from trauma but also knowing how to keep from contributing to trauma, however unintentionally.
Reading Apocalypse in an Age of Revelation: the uncovering of white Christian nationalism
Despite their disturbing, even demonic, histories, both white supremacy and nationalism are back. Now they are fused with Christian zeal, a mixture that has only ever been – and will only ever be – toxic.
Moral witness, righteous indignation and partisan outrage
We need a moral and ethical witness based not on our social media feeds or biases but on an embedded, incarnational, long-term presence with those for whom we claim to have concern.
Why claims of many ‘evangelical Christians’ to be followers of Jesus ring hollow
Following Jesus is incompatible with being a bully. Following Jesus involves using power to do justice, love mercy and live humbly in oneness with God and others. All Christians should condemn and denounce white supremacy and religious nationalism in the name of Jesus, not validate them.
Systemic sin, the fracturing of God’s creation, is encoded in our connected technologies
The way we have built our digital world has encoded this fracturing principle (sin) within the emerging technological system itself. Our connected technologies threaten our primal, sacred bonds. We are hyper-connected and still so lonely.