Opinion
“Check the Ears:” Making Sure the Baby’s Not Dark
“Concerns” from the British royal family about the possible skin color of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s son were disclosed in a recent interview. This reminded me of my own experience – though my family is far from being royal.
‘Delightful Church’ Project Connects Churches, Fosters Dialogue
Ross Gay’s “The Book of Delights” inspired five Baptist congregations to foster virtual community and dialogue amid pandemic isolation. Here is an overview of the approach being used to foster delight in their churches.
International Women’s Day 2021: Choosing to Challenge
International Women’s Day 2021 urges us to “choose to challenge” the societal, cultural and political structures that prevent us from realizing an equitable world. Now is the time to dream – and work – toward a gender equal world.
“Just the Facts” on Vaccine Development
We must start with “just the facts” before we determine what we believe and why. Here is the information you need to know about vaccine development in order to wrestle with the ethical and moral considerations.
Party Line Vote on COVID Aid Reveals Troubling Realities
The party line vote of the latest COVID-19 relief bill is deeply troubling. Too often political leaders seem to care primarily about those who can provide them money or votes. Such transactional politics must change.
How One Facebook Group Is Trying to Disagree Agreeably
Social media allows us to maintain relationships across distances that made regular communication difficult in the past. Yet, it also has become a forum for divisiveness and anger. Here is how one group of friends is working to change that.
LGBTQ+ Christians Continue to Feel Sting of Judgment, Exclusion
Christian churches, universities and organizations continue to struggle with the message of welcome at the heart of the gospel. As a result, LGBTQ+ Christians have felt the sting of judgement and exclusion.
Malcolm, Martin and the American Racial Impasse: Part Two
Lent urges pilgrims on a journey of repentance. With the U.S. increasingly acknowledging its long history of racism, we should use this time to confess our sins and orient society toward more just policies.
Masks, Social Distancing Still Advisable Even If Not Mandated
Governor Abbott’s decision to end the Lone Star State’s mask mandate alarmed many health officials and state leaders. It is difficult in such times to parse through the partisanship in our politics.
The Heartbreak and Hope of Church Schisms
The ongoing schism within the United Methodist Church is the latest in a long series of such divisions in Christian history. While sad to witness, splits based upon conscience can also lead to hopeful futures.
The Confidence of Faith and the Idolatry of Certainty
It is a short distance in the calendar between Christmas and Easter, but that period seems to contain in a microcosm the whole of the pilgrimage, both personally and historically.
Malcolm, Martin and the American Racial Impasse: Part One
Our nation is grappling with whether race is incidental to our history or baked in. Just how deep will this archeological dig into racism’s roots go? And what are we going to do with the mounting pile of embarrassing artifacts?
More Identify as LGBT: Will They Be Treated Equally?
Discrimination against LGBT folk is still alive and well, but no longer as widespread as in years past. Could the U.S. House passing the Equality Act and a Gallup poll revealing more LGBT adults in the nation signal a trend toward greater equality?
Lent Calls us to Embrace Foolishness
Lent is a season for reversals. It calls us to acknowledge vulnerability and to embrace foolishness, trusting that divine weakness is stronger than human vigor and divine folly is more astute than human wisdom.
“Moving the Goalposts” Claims Ignore Pandemic Realities
Pundits claim Dr. Fauci and others have been “moving the goalposts” with their pandemic-related policies and guidelines. Such attacks miss the point.
Kris Exposed Hypocrisy, Injustices I’d Not Seen
The music of Kris Kristofferson points out hypocrisy and identifies social injustice in places some listeners never knew to look. His willingness to confess his own contradictions made it easier for others to do the same.
One Way to End Immigration Reform Impasse
Politicians and pundits on both sides of the political aisle agree that immigration reform is needed. Yet, an unwillingness to compromise has hindered negotiations. Both parties need to stop letting the perfect be the enemy of the good.
Pandemic Accelerated New Reformation in Churches
The pandemic accelerated a reformation already at work in congregations. Such times remind us that the “raison d’être” of the body of Christ is found in planting the transformative power of the reign of God outside the church walls.
Is the U.S. Health Care System Making Us Sick?
Despite health care expenses that are higher than any nation, the U.S. is not the healthiest country in the world. Is the current system making people sick? What are some possible solutions at both the individual and collective level?
Harder to Vote; Easier to Kill. A New Arkansas Motto?
Long known as “The Natural State,” Arkansas appears to be replacing that moniker with a new one: “Harder to vote; easier to kill.” Two bills now on the governor’s desk would eliminate an option to vote without a photo ID and would enact controversial “stand your ground” provisions.
Vaccinating the Vulnerable Requires Proactive Congregations
Houses of faith can play a significant role in getting people vaccinated against COVID-19. Here is how one Temple in North Carolina is being both a house of worship and house of service.
Look Back | The Real Choice That Causes Poverty, Homelessness
Poverty and homelessness are choices society makes, that you and I make, every day. We have the resources to end poverty and homelessness, but we lack the political, social, economic and religious will to act.
Returning to the Baptismal Waters
The baptismal act, regardless of mode, remains one of the most significant moments in a Jesus-follower’s pilgrimage. Returning to these waters mentally, emotionally and spiritually offers both renewal and refreshment.
Why I’m Giving Up the Hustle for Lent
Our culture demands that we constantly do more, produce more, engage more, be more. It’s a hustle economy that will run us ragged if we let it. This year for Lent, I’m saying every day, “I’m enough.”
The Insurrection, the Big Lie and the Constitution: Part Two
The “Big Lie” – another manifestation of white supremacy – emerged again during 2020. False claims of widespread voter fraud continue to be spread in order to legitimatize efforts to disenfranchise people of color.
People of Faith Must Engage Mental Health Crisis
The link between public health crises and mental health has been known for decades, but the full impact of COVID-19 on the nation is still unknown. People of faith need to step up and reach out to those who are hurting.
Smarter and Nicer – This Is Your Brain on Books
A 1980s PSA presented an egg frying in a pan as an illustration of “your brain on drugs.” Recent studies have found that reading can make you both smarter and nicer. This is “your brain on books.”
Why You Should Enter the Shadow of Lent
Lent is a guardrail against spiritual bypassing, requiring pilgrims to do the hard, but necessary, work of entering into aspects of the human experience we’d rather not endure. These rhythms keep us pain-avoidant human beings honest.
The Insurrection, the Big Lie and the Constitution: Part One
The January 6 insurrection was horrific and disturbing. We now face more furtive efforts to undermine U.S. democracy, with some elected officials seeking to restrict voting rights under the false pretense of “election security.”
Millions Suffered Polar Vortex Impacts, Particularly the Unhoused
The polar vortex brought unprecedented weather events and challenging times for everyone, particularly for the unhoused. That hundreds of thousands are homeless in a wealthy nation like the U.S. is a tragedy and travesty.