Here are 10 words/phrases that I would prefer not to experience personally. Oncologist Hospice Bankruptcy Betrayal Depression Suicide Divorce Termination Conflict Jail Unfortunately, over the past 14 days, 10 different people that I care about have become personally acquainted with…
When religion turns hateful, it loses its moral voice
In this craziest of presidential primary seasons, I have not mentioned the Republican candidate with the “best plumage,” the colorful description offered by Marilynne Robinson. I have found his words so offensive, his narcissism so egregious, and his attitude toward…
10 reasons I’m not endorsing a presidential candidate and probably never will
It’s election season and many pastors seem to have no problem with political endorsements. We’ve recently witnessed many high-profile Christian leaders cozying up to their favorite candidate. Endorsement of candidates by pastors happens on the left and right, and as the…
The evangelicals?
“I love the evangelicals,” presidential candidate Donald Trump declares in rallies across the country, “and the evangelicals love me.” So the billionaire builder lauds his self-identified “evangelical” supporters, as he cusses his way to the Oval Office, scorning Muslims and…
Springsteen and Lent: ‘We Are Alive’
As we continue through this Lenten season, I find myself becoming more and more overwhelmed with work. When I gaze at everything that needs to be done, however, it amounts to nothing more than usual. With winter waning and spring…
Is God worth the wait?
We’re over half way through Lent. If you have been faithful to a mini-fast from chocolate or coffee or Candy Crush Saga during this time in the Christian year characterized by reflection and penitence, then you are well aware of…
Change is inevitable. Transformation is optional.
I guess this is a good time as any to think about change. Nature is teasing us with suggestions that biting wind and freezing temperatures will soon be distant memories; I even saw a few crocuses pushing their leaves up…
Face up to these five realities of church life today
Could we just get a few things straight about the state of the church in America today? There are some myths and misunderstandings floating around that seem plausible but upon further scrutiny just don’t hold up. Let’s name some of…
Is your social network your community? Probably not.
Henry Mintzberg of the University of McGill has asked an interesting question of those who believe they are living in community because of their social networks. “If you want to understand the difference between a network and a community,” he…
A geeky moment in the culture — and the church
I recently subscribed to Scientific American, the iconic popular science magazine. In other seasons of culture, the previous sentence may have read more confessional than I intend it, but as the latest installment of the “Star Wars” franchise has proven,…
Where is interfaith dialogue going?
Globalization and world religions, interlocking realities in our day, place the great faiths of the world in ever closer proximity. Incidences of violence, done in the name of religion, prompt questions about whether religion is a dangerous force to be…
Remaining curious
Developmental psychologist Susan Engel has written a book entitled The Hungry Mind: The Origins of Curiosity in Childhood. She claims that children’s curiosity is triggered when they experience “natural, complicated and messy places to play.” Natural, complicated and messy? That…