By Jonathan Waits So I’ve probably mentioned before that I’m a sucker for superhero fare. I don’t just go see all the movies, if possible; I buy a copy when they release them to the public. I have all the…
Looking for signs of the future
By Bill Prather This article is based on a Nov. 15 sermon from Mark 13:1-8, the Revised Common Lectionary text following the terrorist attacks in Paris. I have to confess that I’m not a big fan of disaster movies. I…
Cocoa butter advice
By Aileen Lawrimore In my family, we call it cocoa butter advice. It’s the advice that no one needs, but everyone offers. You know what I mean, right? It’s like when my sister suffered from a rare disorder called obstetric…
Answers that mean more death, only mean — more death
By Russ Dean So, what do we do when the world comes crashing down? When skyscrapers fall? When mad men appease their merciless god with fear and death, a bloody worship and the praise of a mother’s agonizing grief? Today…
Pastors leave congregations, but God’s vision never leaves
By George Bullard The idea of congregations expecting the next pastor to bring them vision implies some very important things about the ongoing understanding and practice of vision within congregations. First, it implies vision comes from the pastor. Second, it…
All I want for Christmas is rest
By Jayne Hugo Davis As we closed a committee meeting last week, I reminded the group that our next gathering would be our annual Christmas party. There was a collective gasp, but the calendar didn’t lie. Yet again, the days…
Trust in Jesus, except with wealth
By Seth Vopat When in doubt, turn to the Gospels. Uncertain where to go, trust in Jesus. The red letters — which is Christian language for words attributed to Jesus — will show you how to follow. Except for when…
A ‘kairos’ moment in Myanmar
By Molly T. Marshall The stunning results of the election in Myanmar are unfolding, and the world is witnessing a remarkable movement toward greater democracy after decades of military rule. The government has promised a peaceful transition as Aung San…
The Starbucks flap
By Russ Dean It starts this time every year, but thanks to South Park Mall in Charlotte, N.C., and Starbucks, the Christmas War is off with a bang. You know, Starbucks hates Jesus. So says Mr. “Merry Christmas,” who’s taking…
World religions, up close and personal
By Doyle Sager Remember when studies of world religions were abstract and theoretical? No more. The world has come to us. And it is messier than we imagined. While seminary courses and numerous websites are helpful in providing academic knowledge,…
If your congregation is not already affiliated with a denomination, why would it?
By George Bullard Recently a long-term ministry acquaintance contacted me for advice about his congregation. He had retired from his religious publishing position and moved to the other side of the country. During his life he had been a member…
Starbucks and Christmas
By Alan Rudnick Starbucks red cups are out to bring us holiday cheer, but the response on social media has not been very cheerful. Joshua Feuerstein, a former Arizona pastor shared a video on Facebook that went viral with over…