Recent Articles
Rejecting Violence, Encouraging Reasoned Discourse on Abortion
The FBI has requested public assistance in investigating a series of attacks against pro-life centers. Such tactics mirror the radical wing of the Right to Life movement. The U.S. must decry violence, encourage reasoned discourse on abortion.
June 23, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Faith Leaders Urge Transformation on Anniversary of Emanuel AME Shooting; The GOP Weapondizes Christianity; Supreme Court Says Maine Cannot Bar Religious Schools from State Tuition Program; Rare Ancient Mosque Discovered in Negev Desert by Israeli Archaeologists (and more)
Silence That Says Too Much
Injuries suffered by 62 Palestinians due to the actions of participants in “Jerusalem Day” 2022 received scant news coverage. Have you heard any American politicians speaking out against such pointed provocations, or any American Jewish leaders?
Annual Report Highlights Challenges, Opportunities for Baptist Women in Ministry
Baptist Women in Ministry released its 2021 Report on the State of Women in Baptist Life on June 21. It highlights both challenges and opportunities, providing suggestions for congregations to better support women in ministry.
SCOTUS Rules Against Maine’s Restriction of Public Education Funding to Non-Sectarian Schools
The Supreme Court of the United States issued a 6-3 decision on June 21 that the State of Maine cannot restrict its public funds to non-sectarian schools. Here is what the justices said as well as reaction from several organizations and individuals.
June 22, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: The New Juneteenth Holiday Traces its Roots to Galveston, Texas; New Platform of Texas GOP is Laced with White Christian Privilege; How Franklin Graham Pushed a Domestic Abuse Victim to Return to Her Husband; Drought in the 6th Century Paved the Way for Islam (and more)
The Jesus of Our Making
“Church people” often act in ways that reveal overt racism, loss of truthfulness and absence of compassion. Rather than the “biblical worldview” these folks claim to follow, we need a Jesus worldview.
Wisdom Wherever You Find It: Is This Heaven?
Classic films like “Field of Dreams” raise questions about love, faith, history and redemption. Watching the opening of a professional baseball game played in 2021 on the previous film set brought tears to my eyes. Is this heaven?
Belief in God Among U.S. Adults at All-Time Low
The number of U.S. adults who say they believe in God reached an all-time low 2022, according to a Gallup report. Still, more than eight-in-10 affirm that they belief in a higher power.
Why Did the U.S. Take So Long to Join the Party?
Celebrated on June 19 each year by African Americans and considered the community’s Independence Day, Juneteenth is set aside to celebrate the end of slavery in the U.S. It became a federal holiday in 2021.
On ‘Bleak House’ and Equally Bleak Institutions
On a recent library visit, I came across Charles Dickens’ book ‘Bleak House.’ Skimming its pages again for the first time in years, I noticed several parallels between the conditions it describes and the present reality for houses of faith.
Deaths from Alcohol, Drugs and Suicide Spiked in 2020
The combined number of U.S. deaths from alcohol, drugs and suicided jumped 20% from 2019 to 2020, according to a report published in late May by the Trust for America’s Health.
An Affirming Home
By showing, not just telling, our kids we’re a soft place to land on all subjects, they will grow up knowing our love for them is big enough.
Church Infighting Unappealing to Younger Generation of Believers
Younger Evangelicals are tired of watching their parents and grandparents fighting over details they affirm do not determine salvation. Despite the raging politicization sweeping through the church, these young Christians simply want to worship God without infighting infecting their faith.
Look Back | Crossing the Chasm That Seemingly Divides Bible, LGBTQ Loved Ones
For many, it feels like the Bible is on one side of the debate regarding LGBTQ inclusion in the church and pictures of loved ones are on the other. How does a Jesus follower choose between the two?
June 17, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: What Antisemitism Looks Like When it is Carved into Church; Pride-flag Protest at Christian University Graduation Part of Larger Social Movement; Spirituality and Sexuality Often Clash. These Green Bay Churches Made the Effort to be Designated LGBTQ Friendly. (and more)
Right and Wrong: Takeaways from Watching the January 6th Hearings
Watching the January 6th hearings this week, remarks made by members of the United States House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack and witness testimony drew a clear line between right and wrong.
On Learning from Queer Kin
Growing up queer in the church can be a lonely endeavor. But for those of us who are lucky enough, their stories do not end with death-dealing theologies. They go on to find new life in the queer community.
My Family’s EV Life: Part Two
Driving an electric vehicle is an adjustment from the internal combustion engines most of us are familiar with. However, the differences are positive, as they provide comfortable and quiet rides. But don’t take my word for it – drive one.
June 16, 2022
In today’s news and analysis headlines: Southern Baptist Convention Passes 2 Reform Measures Aimed at Improving its Handling of Sexual Abuse Allegations; How the Christian Home-Schooling Lobby Feeds on Fear of Public Schools; Roger Stone and Michael Flynn Under Fire Over Rallies ‘Distorting Christianity’; Religion Professor: Coercive Power is Where Christianity is Most Unlike its Founder (and more)
You’re LGBTQ Affirming! Now What?
Many churches go through incredibly intentional processes to help cultivate LGBTQ affirmation and then never tell anyone about that commitment outside the church walls. Here are five considerations for “welcoming and affirming” congregations.
My Family’s EV Life: Part One
My family is unique in that we only have electric vehicles. As early adopters, we are learning a lot about a different way of getting from here to there. Here are a few reasons why we made the switch.
A good faith response to the abortion debate
The recently leaked Supreme Court draft opinion that would serve to overturn Roe v. Wade has concerning implications for people of good faith.
June 15, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Police in Idaho are Getting Death Threats After Arresting White Supremacist Patriot Front Members; South Florida Synagogue Challenges State Abortion Law Over Religion; In Missouri, Battles Over Birth Control Foreshadow a Post-Roe World; As Southern Baptists Gather, Right-Wing, MAGA-like Faction Sounds Alarm (and more)
A Philosophy of Opinion Writing
The advent of social media and blogging has made it possible for everyone to express their opinion in the public square. Here are a few suggestions to consider based on my, admittedly, imperfect approach.
I Am a Woman Because I Do Womanhood
Like other trans women, I don’t identify as a woman. Rather, I am a woman. I am a woman because I do womanhood. Yet, somehow, identity has come to connote a kind of disembodied, decontextualized totem of sorts.
Celebrating Pride and Pentecost in a Pub
I do not believe it was a coincidence that Pentecost Sunday fell on June 5 this year – the first Sunday during Pride month. Here is how our congregation celebrated both observances in a local bar.
June 14, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: ‘Born in Slavery’ Shares Stories of Formerly Enslaved People. Read Their Words Ahead of Juneteenth.; Cult Expert Steven Hassan Sees 95% Chance of Worsening Pro-Trump Violence; Explosive Report Alleged Sex Abuse by SBC Leader Johnny Hunt. His Accuser Still Waits for Justice.; New Book ‘Interpreting Religion’ Dares to Ask ‘How’ (and more)
‘Heathen’ Documents History of Religious, Racial Name-Calling
Before there was the “other,” there was the heathen. Kathryn Gin Lum’s new book ‘Heathen: Religion and Race in American History’ is a must read.
An Invitation for Embrace and Resurrection
Celebrating Pride Month is crucial amid all this fear, so how do queer Christians faithfully engage in thoughtful celebrations of Pride this year? I’d suggest that we look to the example of Jesus.