Opinion
Are We Part of the System?
The story of Joseph in Genesis offers an account of human trafficking. It offers both insight and conviction as we consider whether, and how, we might be complicit in the complex systems of human trafficking in our world.
Are We Adrift or Still on Target?
As the distance from an organization’s founding grows, “mission drift” can sometimes occur. So, it is wise to pause at times to consider whether the primary mission is still in focus.
Why We Need a ‘Christmas Lens’ for 2022
The journey from Christmas to Epiphany and beyond is a time of transition. We move from looking at decorations to looking through the lens of incarnation. This shift in vantage point can change everything.
The Third Year of a Global Pandemic Calls for More Than a Resolution
As we enter the third year of a global pandemic, it is time for us to move past annual resolutions to consistent and courageous truth-telling about who we are and have always been.
Good Faith Media: 2021 and 2022
In 2021, GFM emerged as a trusted and valued source for people of faith with a social conscience and deep desire for advocacy.
A Prophet Has Spoken to Us: A Tribute to Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Archbishop Desmond Tutu is remembered for his holy activism and righteous indignation against every form of injustice.
God Had Other Plans for Archbishop Desmond Tutu
A sermon in praise of the plan that God had for Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s life on his 90th birthday is offered by his friend and co-laborer in the ecumenical movement.
Fear and Remembering in a Calais Winter
A Facebook feed memory from Calais, France, 2015 stopped me in my tracks. The so-called “jungle” filled with migrant tents and shelters is long gone, but migrants continue to need help.
When Do Death Row and Solitary Confinement Constitute ‘Cruel and Unusual Punishment’?
After six years leading the mental health department at the Texas prison unit housing men on death row, I concluded that the way death row and solitary confinement as practiced were ‘cruel and unusual punishment.’ Here is why.
Perhaps Rating Everything Is Not a Good Idea
It seems like every business wants constant feedback from its customers, asking for ratings and reviews on nearly every transaction and interaction. How might this mindset seep into houses of faith in harmful ways?
How Health Care Costs, Medical Debt Impact U.S. Households
A recent survey found that a growing number of U.S. households are not seeking medical care due to concerns over costs. How are these concerns and medical debt impacting U.S. households?
A Call for Audacious, Bold and Courageous Words
I’ve been collecting words for years; finding solace, guidance, inspiration and conviction in them. Here’s why we need words that are audacious, bold and courageous to guide us.
‘Davka,’ Do the Right Thing
One Hebrew word defies explanation and is best understood through examples. You know it when you see it. Here are several manifestations of this word that I’ve observed in my interfaith work.
An Empty Tree
The Randall family Christmas tree is empty for the first time ever. Why? And what lessons can we take away from its barrenness?
Atmosphere, Schmatmosphere
A trip to Arkansas led to sampling a variety of food styles and restaurant venues. What lessons might this experience offer for people of faith?
Look Back | Who Is Jesus?
Each year, the arrival of Christmas invites us to consider the question, “Who is Jesus?” To answer, let’s look at some of the terms used in the Bible to describe him, along with Jesus’ favorite term for himself.
Advent Lectionary | Is There Room? Are We Ready?
Like the innkeeper, many of us likely have no room to receive the Christ Child. Luke’s Gospel prepares to hand Jesus off to us following his birth. Is there room? Are we ready?
Considering Advent’s Insurrectionary Promise
Advent and Christmas challenge and unsettle the status quo. Let’s consider how these seasons bring an insurrectionary promise.
Do Lab-Grown Embryos Have Rights?
With scientific research bringing science fiction plot lines into reality, we must ask questions about the morality and ethical framework of such discoveries. Here is a primer on a new development related to human embryos.
We Could All Use an ‘Advent of the Heart’
As Christians prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the focus on Jesus’ second coming in the church of my youth has come to mind. Rather than a physical event, perhaps we need to consider this as an ‘advent of the heart.’
Look Back | The Danger Your Church Faces When Rejecting Others
The pull toward exclusiveness has been, and continues to be, a challenge for faith communities. It is a ‘clear and present danger’ that all religious communities must acknowledge and work to address.
All I Want for Christmas Is …
A devastating storm ripped through eight U.S. states last week, killing nearly 100 people. Its severity is the result of climate change, so all I want for Christmas this year is for people of faith to care for creation.
Why Do ‘Good’ People Believe Lies?
The conundrum of seemingly “good” people believing lies has faced humanity for generations, and it’s the million-dollar question now facing the U.S. Let’s consider some of the possible reasons they do so.
What an Execution Reminded Me About Christmas
Mississippi carried out its first execution since 2012 in mid-November. Here is how one church was connected to this person and what his death reminded them about the challenging nature of prison ministry and the hope of Christmas.
Same Old, Same Old?
What is the Septuagint and what is metalepsis? And what do they have to do with aging? Perhaps very little – or maybe more than it first would seem.
Don’t Forget: Immigration Policy is About Human Lives
Too often immigration policies are discussed and implemented apart from a clear recognition of the human impact. We are talking about human lives, and the reinstitution of “Remain in Mexico” will have dire results.
Advent Lectionary | Why Mary Did, in Fact, Know
A popular song appearing at church services around Christmas is “mansplaining” at best. We need to turn the question around, asking ourselves if we’re willing to listen and learn from those who know more than we do.
Why It’s Not ‘The Most Wonderful Time of the Year’ for Many
Lights, wreaths, presents, stockings, trees and more fill out sights during the holiday season. Amid the joy and celebration, don’t forget that for many people this isn’t “the most wonderful time of the year.”
How You Can Navigate Holiday Grief
Grief is always difficult to navigate, but particularly during the holidays. Here are 10 helpful practices to consider as we journey through the fall and winter holidays.
A Lament for Humanity on Human Rights Day 2021
“And it came to pass” is the biblical phrase used to introduce a momentous event, whether favorable or unpleasant. Here are several “and it came to pass” moments to consider on Human Rights Day 2021.