Our times call for fresh thinking on the economics of ministry, which is a constellation of issues. Educational debt, ministry compensation, rising health care costs, diminished congregations and a culture of credit all conspire to make the question “can the church and the ministry afford each other” more challenging.
When Ash Wednesday isn’t what you expect
By Amy Butler Last week I received several expressions of gratitude for making myself available to impose ashes at two Ash Wednesday services. People said the kindest things, like: “I know you have so very much on your plate. Thank…
Bumper sticker theology
By Aileen Lawrimore “Prayer Works!” and its bossier sibling, “Pray. It Works!” are sayings I’ve seen on everything from tote bags to T-shirts, bumper stickers to Bible studies. You can get a “Prayer Works” apron for the saintly cook in…
Safe space?
By John Chandler I split time living between two very different communities — very rural Fluvanna County in central Virginia and in the heart of Chapel Hill and the University of North Carolina. Splitting time between very red and very…
Them and us?
By Bill Leonard Sometimes I think I’d love a good mystical vision, when God told me exactly what is right and wrong; how to believe and behave. Surely then I could sort out all the theological and ethical dilemmas of…
Unremarkable, but lovely
Scott Dickison A rabbi, an imam and a Baptist minister walk into a university auditorium. No, this isn’t the start of a bad joke. It’s just what happened this past Thursday evening on the campus of Mercer University in Macon,…
When church really isn’t what we think it is
By Amy Butler One of the best things about being a pastor is that over the course of experiencing the pastorate you can collect really great stories. Only some of those stories can be repeated in polite company, but that’s…
Addicted to fear
By Mark Wingfield Americans these days are addicted to fear. Fear, of course, is a natural emotional response that God has given us for good reason. It is fear that helps us not put a hand in the fire or…
Religious terrorism
By Brett Younger I belong to a religious group that has been responsible for horrible acts of terrorism. The majority of us do not believe these terrorists are being true to our faith, but others insist on painting us all…