By Bill Leonard In 1833 Lyman Beecher, minister, educator and patriarch of one of America’s most prominent Protestant families, became president of Lane Theological Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio. Beecher’s move from his native New England was reflected in his essay,…
Study: Megachurches can trigger false spiritual highs
“God’s love becomes … such a drug that you can’t wait to come get your next hit. … You can’t wait to get involved to get the high from God.” That’s what a megachurch worshiper said in a new study…
Being on the other side
I visit a lot of folks in the hospital as part of my job. I know how to find clergy parking. I know how to hunt folks down when the hospital staff isn’t as helpful to tell you where a…
The most segregated hour
By Starlette McNeill When there is talk of Christ’s church and its lack of cultural diversity in worship, Martin Luther King’s words, “It is appalling that the most segregated hour of Christian America is 11 o’clock on Sunday morning,” are…
‘Those people’ and the 47 percent
“There are 47 percent who are with him [Obama], who are dependent on government, who believe that, that they are victims…My job is not to worry about those people.” — Mitt Romney Mitt Romney got shellacked. When Romney’s fundraiser video was…
What really sinks organizational staff
I once worked on a church staff with a person who was very educated and talented, but the staff member was undermining the entire organization. This staff member would never say anything publicly that would criticize anyone. The staff member…
Boundaries 101
By Bill Wilson The headlines are relentless. I wince every time I hear of a minister violating sexual or moral boundaries. I listen sadly as clergy describe unrealistic demands placed upon them by their congregation. Over the years I have…
Long, long ago in a time far, far away…
I remember a day when one would get in trouble for passing handwritten notes in class! I also remember the first time a girl passed me one—be still my heart! Yes, I also remember black and white TV with a…
What I would ask the candidates
David P. Gushee It’s the political silly season, when the daily campaign news concerns mainly swing-state strategizing and gotcha gaffes. But soon the debates will begin. The quality of these four encounters between the contenders for president and vice-president depends heavily on…