Opinion
Martin Luther King Jr.: An Exemplar of Prophetic Citizenship
As the world commemorates MLK’s January 15 birthday, politicians, business leaders, educators, theologians, activists and students should reflect on the meaning of King’s life. I am glad to join that effort.
Pandemic Lessons: Macro- and Micro-Planning Is Essential
COVID-19 took the world by surprise, with the U.S. repeating many of the same mistakes it made during the 1918 influenza pandemic. Governments and individuals must formulate plans now to better respond to future disasters and pandemics.
Six Concepts for Better Understanding Broader Issues Today
Defensiveness often accompanies being proven wrong, as many prefer comfortable untruth to uncomfortable truth. Many Americanized Christians, in particular, seem to be on the defensive against any criticism.
We Shall Overcome: Reviewing the Concept, Refocusing the Vision, Revisiting the Strategy
“We shall overcome…” became a rallying cry, motivator and impetus for the ’60s civil rights movement. As Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaches, let’s review the concept, refocus the vision and revisit the strategy.
Democracy Dies When Citizens Fall Silent
The final report from the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 insurrection has been released. Trump and his allies have decried the committee, but we saw the violence. Will we speak the truth or fall silent?
Why I Spent a Christmas Eve in a Hot Pink Room
I begrudgingly left home in the dark on Christmas Eve because I had made a promise to a very lonely woman. Sitting in a completely hot pink room felt strange, but God was certainly present.
Is There a War on Epiphany?
A “war on Christmas” has been posited by politically conservative commentators for the past few decades. This claim has diminished recently, but I wonder if what we’re actually facing is a war on epiphany.
Three Resolutions for a New Year
Many of us make resolutions at the start of a new year. So, let me propose three that move beyond goals typically found on such lists.
Lincoln Lessons: The General Store
Missy and I are living in Lincoln, Vermont, during the month of January, while I serve as the guest pulpit minister of the United Church of Lincoln. I’ll be sharing about our experiences and lessons throughout our time.
Bringing Freedom to the Captives
Human trafficking is big business, and it is happening all around us – sometimes hidden in plain sight. Let’s work to bring freedom to the captives and release all of us from the darkness of human trafficking.
How Two SCOTUS Cases Could Strengthen White Affirmative Action
Affirmative action has always existed, but it favored white, euroamericans until the 1960s. Two cases currently before the Supreme Court could revive and strengthen white affirmative action.
A Good Man Is Hard to Lose
We put a good man in the ground last week, or at least, the shell he last inhabited. He wasn’t the only good man I knew, but the only one I called Daddy.
To Address Sex Trafficking, We Must Reduce Demand
Sex trafficking operates on a market system. Where there is demand for commercial sex, traffickers capitalize on the opportunity to make an astronomical profit. So, how do we reduce demand?
All the Gifts: A Reflection on 2022
I’m sick of hearing about New Year’s resolutions, so as I begin 2023, I hereby refuse to make any. But thinking back on 2022, I’m struck by all the gifts that this past year provided.
A Case for Ditching New Year’s Resolutions
Have you already made some resolutions for the new year? Before you make another, take a minute to read my case for why we should ditch our resolutions – and find out what I propose we do instead.
“Explain It Like We’re Kids, Jesus”
Sometimes we need to get into the weeds. That’s what Jesus did with his first followers. And it’s a central part of one of his parables in Matthew 13.
Winter Solstice, Religious Festivals and Being the Light
Awakened early Christmas morning, my mind turned to what has been called ‘a shimmer around the edges’ and ‘a gleam.’ Considering common themes amount religious festivals this time of year, I felt a renewed call to be the light.
Look Back | Reflecting on Your Past as You Prioritize Your Future
New Year’s Day is right around the corner. We should use such moments to mark out fallow time to think back and think forward. This is a vital part in seeking to live wisely.
Good Faith Media: 2022 Year in Review
As the world emerged from a global pandemic, Good Faith Media celebrated the global emergence by generating and distributing more educational, challenging and inspiring content than ever before. Here are some highlights from 2022.
Midnight Phone Calls and Maintaining Friendships
I love the night, but I’ve come to agree with my great-grandmother’s sentiment that ‘nothing good happens after midnight.’ Evening phone calls, like one I recently received, leave me feeling anxious and cold.
Where We’re Going, We Don’t Need Roads
If the turmoil of the past few years caused you to reconsider any of your relationships, then you’ve likely already found this to be particularly true in the evangelical church, especially concerning issues of race.
Religious, Spiritual People Actively Seek to Understand Differing Views
A Public Agenda survey shows religion and spirituality are quite common among Americans. Religious and spiritual people tend to actively seek to understand those with differing viewpoints.
It’s Immoral to Allow Inmates to Die of Treatable Diseases
A report found that more than 1,000 people in U.S. prisons died of complications related to Hepatitis C from 2013 to 2019. This is tragic and immoral, particularly because there is an effective treatment available.
Questioning an Unspoken Holiday ‘Tradition’
With the Christmas tunes and décor being packed away, we need to change our tune and address an overlooked and under-appreciated part of the holiday: the work mostly done by women.
Learning From a Scorched-Earth Sermon
Matthew 23 is a barn burner, a scorched-earth sermon. From this chapter, we learn that Jesus has little patience with religious hypocrisy. Actually, that is a profound understatement.
Embers in the Street: A Christmas Morning Story
The Christmas season provides an opportunity to remember those whose presence matters most to us and to shine a light on them.
No Tokens for Christmas
Holidays ads have really gotten under my skin this year. They seem to center the same, limited groups of people each year, sometimes given the briefest reference or sight of diversity. This is tokenism, and it’s problematic.
Look Back | Christmas Presence
During the 26 years I served as a pastor, few Christmas seasons passed that did not find me sermonizing on the importance of presence over presents. I still think about it.
A Christmas Miracle I Had to Live to Believe
This happened to me on December 24, 1997. I have to tell you that first because I wouldn’t believe this story myself had I not lived it. Call it a miracle or call it a thin place – God showed up that day.
Cloud Life
A drive into the cloud-covered mountains of western North Carolina recalled being urged to “get my head out of the clouds” as a child. We must work to create our hopes and dreams while we’re here.