Opinion
What COVID-19 Has Taught Us: We’re Vulnerable
COVID-19 has been a game-changer. For all the dreadful things COVID-19 has done to us, it has helped dispel an illusion, the illusion of our own invulnerability. Just like everyone else who has ever walked this earth, we’re mortal.
Rose Garden Christianity is Thorny Variety
Focus on the Family founding president James Dobson took the loss by the incumbent president very personally. For Dobson and other religious-right attention-seekers, this was indeed a loss of privilege and influence.
Farewell 2020 – Few of Us Will Miss You
As 2020 ends in a few days, few will mourn the passing of one of the most difficult years of our lives. Yet the counsel of Scripture is that we do well to receive life’s obstacles as opportunities to grow in faith, hope and love.
Emerging Voices | Sabbath Gives Clarity During Grief-Filled Pandemic
More than a day off or a chunk of unplanned time, Sabbath offers us a glimpse of clarity as we face the prolonged grief of this pandemic. We are reminded that amid grief, there is celebration. Amid chaos, there is peace.
How to Bring an End to Our Polarized Society
It is not acceptable to remain stuck in old, immature patterns of thought and behavior in which we use our religion or belief system as a shield from criticism and a weapon for attack. It’s patently un-Christian and unhealthy.
A Creative Christmas
This Christmas is requiring more creativity than most. Many families, respecting medical advice regarding the pandemic, will not gather as usual. Fewer people will be at Christmas tables; many will hold virtual family gatherings.
Why This Troubled World Should Go On
It’s hard to believe we live in the world Christmas promises. The coronavirus runs rampant. Racial reckoning has been postponed. But listen to Jesus, who says the world will go on, all the way to restoration, justice and peace.
Beethoven’s Ninth Erupts with Joy, Hope
In honor of Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th birthday, let’s listen expectantly to his stirring Ninth Symphony and enjoy deeply the encouragement found there, finding joy and hope in spite of the solemn times in which we now live.
Look Back | So Many Things Try to Rob You of Peace
‘Peace on Earth’ is cruelly ironic written on a razor-wired wall in Israel. Closer to home, the realities of family dysfunction, financial troubles, stress at work and at home and so many other things try to rob us of peace.
Darkness May Illuminate What We Most Need to See
The mystery of God-made-flesh is not easily found in the artificial lights that illuminate our well-decorated living. Truth is not always revealed in the bright lights, but better seen in the shadows of God’s mysterious love.
The Real War on Christian Faith You Aren’t Seeing
Christian faith is under attack in America, but not how you think. This isn’t the fabricated ‘War on Christmas.’ The deeply held faith of millions of Black Americans is under attack by those who worship Christian nationalism.
When Night Sky Urges Us to Be Light for Others
We are living in a cold and dark time, which COVID-19 has made darker. More than ever, we must find the light in ourselves and be the light to help others. And now, even the night sky encourages us to be a light to others.
The Christmas Star: Bringing Hope Then and Now
As we commemorate and celebrate Christmas this year, we do so with a renewed kinship with Mary, Joseph and baby Yeshua. On Christmas 2020, let’s return to what really matters — a love and light delivering the world from darkness.
Good Samaritan: A Timely Reminder to Help Those in Need
The parable of the Good Samaritan has echoed down for 2,000 years because it is as timely as today’s paper, and as real as our experience with people around us in need. So when will we stop passing by those in need?
Look Back | Waiting Doesn’t Always Have to Be Passive
Waiting is an inevitable part of life. In Matthew 13, the parable talks about waiting for wheat and weeds to grow. There must be more to do while waiting for harvest than passive resignation to the presence of the weeds. Read on.
Why You Shouldn’t Fire Your Church Staff
Churches should rarely terminate a staff member. Rather, congregations can employ healthy strategies for transitioning staff that look after the best interest of the church, the staff member and the kingdom. Check out these ideas.
Can the Ground Cry Out? Scripture Says Yes
Does the earth feel pain? It would seem so. Scripture itself seems to say so. The more we continue to do violence to the earth and to each other, the more the earth will withhold its bounty and strength from us.
5 Shifts Shaping Churches Next Ministry Chapter
Most churches used a top-down organizational template that may have served well in the past. Changes to staffing models are now a top priority for churches to respond constructively in this new era of ministry. Here are 5 examples.
Happy Birthday to Herr Beethoven – at 250
Today marks the day we observe the birth of famed composer, Ludwig van Beethoven – his 250th. Beethoven presents us with a mystery: How can an 18th-19th century deaf man pour music from his soul into ours?
Let Faith Rather Than Blame Name the Tune
Hunting easy-to-blame bogeymen is quite the popular projection sport. And it’s a practice that has shaped the white evangelical church and larger American society to a significant degree. It’s time for a different, better tune.
Have Yourself a ‘Mary’ Little Christmas
We wish each other a ‘Merry Christmas’ every year, but would you consider wishing people a ‘Mary’ Christmas? Having a ‘Mary’ Christmas is not just a merry season. It is a time for us to recognize how insignificant we are.
6 Staffing Models for Your Post-Pandemic Church
As we emerge from the lingering pandemic and churches reassess their staffing needs in light of current economic realities and fresh missional opportunities, new staff configurations will continue to emerge. Here are 6 to consider.
Why Jesus’ Boring Genealogy is Actually Amazing
Most people find the genealogy of Jesus from Matthew 1 boring; it’s just name after name after name. In truth, it’s anything but boring. It shows us all that when it comes to salvation, Jesus is the Messiah for everyone.
Why US Must Set Out Welcome Mat for Immigrants
Contrary to what the make-America-great-again crowd might think, immigrants are not bad people; they are desperate people. America has always been an immigrant nation. Our very life and economy are shaped by immigrants.
Loving All Our Neighbors Besieged by COVID-19
In today’s world, many cannot recover or find healing refuge from the devastation of COVID-19. As Christians, we must be attentive to the spiritual, physical and even medical needs of our neighbors – here and around the world.
Look Back | The Overlooked Part of Christmas Story
Everyone knows about the shepherds, angels and kings bearing gifts in the Christmas story. What we overlook in the story doesn’t serve well with easy conversation over eggnog. It’s about political power and civic dissent.
Human Rights: They’re Not Just for ‘Us’
We all want human rights for ourselves and those closest to us. Our commitment waivers for people who are ethnically different or farther away from us. Human rights are for everyone and in their fullness are an expression of love.
Will Choice Fix Educational Woes? Not So Fast
Choice has been heralded over the past couple of decades as an ideal that will solve all of our educational challenges in America. But ‘choice’ policies are not always about providing an alternative to low-performing schools.
Unions Offer Protection to Hard-Working People
Most of us are strangers to the work that hardens hands and breaks backs – that literally breaks people down. Many of those who do truly hard work say they want and need a union. Why? It’s about respect. The dignity of work.
Who Can You Trust?
Nurses once again topped Gallup’s annual poll of trustworthy professions. It was the 18th straight year, and 85% of people rated nurses as ‘high’ or ‘very high’ in terms of trustworthiness. At the bottom, car salespeople.