Recent Articles
Starlette Thomas Now a GFM Contributing Correspondent
Starlette Thomas is joining Good Faith Media as a contributing correspondent. She will write articles for the website and Nurturing Faith Journal, as well as develop season two of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast.
Gardening Mistake Offers Insight on Hope, Patience
A gardening mistake following a winter storm led to a less vibrant hydrangea plant. This experience has offered insight into how God brings new life from our slips and stagnation.
April 7, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Fears of White People Losing Out Permeate Capitol Rioters’ Towns, Study Finds; How a Protest in a North Carolina Farming Town Sparked a National Movement; Holding on to Religion: USU Professor Studies Religion and its Impact on Sexual Minorities; and more.
Living Free From Stranglehold of Fear
Fear is often a defining factor of one’s faith, especially beliefs and practices that seek to restrict grace and withhold mercy. Such faith tends to see enemies in the unfamiliar and to attribute God’s blessings to self-interests.
When Spiritual Counsel Wounds Your Traumatized Soul
People in faith communities struggling with trauma and mental health issues often encounter spiritual leaders trying to help, but they don’t have a trauma-informed lens. A new podcast is here to help.
Emerging Voices | Can Churches Save Decaying Culture? – Part 2
As the US faces seemingly overwhelming systemic issues, now is the time for churches to reinvigorate and reimagine their legacy for the 21st century. We can accomplish great things together if we have the vision.
Why Your Spiritual Formation is Like Composting
Spiritual formation can be wearisome, placing you in a storm-tossed boat and demanding more than you think you can bear. It is almost never convenient and can be unnerving. It is not risk averse. It’s a lot like, well, composting.
April 6, 2021
In today’s news and analysis headlines: ‘Anti-American,’ ‘Pushing Marxism,’ and More: Do You Recognize Your College Here?; 82-Year-Old Woman on Why She Dresses in Her Sunday Best for Online Church Services; Lack of Tourism at the Vatican During the Coronavirus Pandemic Has Caused a Drastic Drop in Revenue for the Catholic Church; and more
Cradle to Tomb, You’re a Collection of Words
Shakespeare had it right in Romeo and Juliet when Juliet asked, ‘What’s in a name?’ When it comes down to it, we are all a collection of words. This is why language is important, and why we must speak thoughtfully and thoroughly.
Emerging Voices | Can Churches Save Decaying Culture? – Part 1
The US faces complex problems. Schools are struggling, churches are in decline, tent cities for the homeless are springing up. How churches respond to this litany of crumbling institutions will prove to be a do-or-die moment.
State’s Bill Puts Restrictions on Gender Transitioning
Arkansas has become the first state to propose a bill that would prohibit health care providers from assisting minors who are seeking gender transitioning treatments. The 10-page bill now awaits the signature of Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
The Shameful Easter Massacre You Never Heard About
A mob of mostly white men massacred at least 150 Black Americans in Colfax, Louisiana, on Easter Sunday 1873. Churches and their leaders were seemingly silent in responding to the shameful ‘racial carnage’ at the time.
April 5, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Poor People’s Campaign Foot-Washing Symbolizes Washing Away the Filibuster; Georgia’s Black Churches are Horrified by Republican Voter Suppression – and Ready to Fight Back; America’s 2nd COVID-19 Easter Marked by Low Church Attendance; SC Church Goes to the Ballpark for Easter; and more.
The Curious, Adventurous Life of Gene Espy
Gene Espy first heard of the Appalachian Trail in seventh grade, two years after it had been completed. He set out to hike the entire trail in 1951 at age 24, becoming just the second person to “thru-hike” the entire trail.
Nationalism and Holy Week
Nationalistic ideas informed the actions of both Judas and the crowds that jeered at Jesus in his final days. During this Holy Week, let’s make certain to take another path, following the way of Jesus.
New Podcast Focuses on ‘Discovering Wholeness’
A new collaborative podcast will drop at Good Faith Media next week. “Discovering Wholeness: Healing Trauma, Unearthing Self” will focus on a variety of topics that address what it means to heal from trauma.
Are Vaccine Mandates Legal, Ethical, Advisable? – Part 2
The idea of vaccine mandates is being discussed as vaccinations increase across the U.S. This raises ethical questions about how to balance individual freedom with public health concerns.
Look Back | Why You Should Be Glad Easter’s Always Moving
Easter, the most important day on the Christian calendar, determines when most of the other important days will be observed. The “movability” of Easter, then, reminds us that it is the controlling event for other days.
April 1, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: First Baptist Church of Beverly Hills, Florida Certified ‘Dementia Friendly’; Fort Collins Affordable Housing Plan Unveiled for Rockies Christian Church Property; State Department Reverses Trump Policies Discriminating Against Women’s Rights in the Name of Religious Freedom; The Turbulent Ride of Post-Church America; Religious TV Channel Fined for Spreading Conspiracy Theory on Coronavirus; and more
Cave of Horror, or of Wonder?
The discovery of a “new” Dead Sea Scroll was announced recently by the Israeli Antiquities Authority. It was found in a “cave of horror,” along with many other significant finds.
Are Vaccine Mandates Legal, Ethical, Advisable? – Part 1
COVID-19 vaccine distributions are increasing significantly, raising questions about whether vaccine mandates should be implemented. Are such requirements legal, ethical and advisable?
Little Things Offer Big Inspiration at Easter
A cereal box message about ‘finding big inspiration in the little things’ is a timely reminder. Big inspiration is often birthed by unexpected little surprises that cumulatively have the ability to transform our world.
U.S. Confidence in Safe In-Person Worship Increases
A growing number of U.S. adults feel confident that they can safely attend in-person religious services. Yet, less than half of Christian churchgoers in the U.S. plan to attend an in-person Easter service this year, well below the 62% historical average.
March 31, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: How the Christian Nationalist Version of ‘The American Story’ Enabled Georgia’s Anti-Black Voter Restriction Law; ‘Scolded for Being Female’: Pennsylvania Woman Says Baptist Church Fishing Trip Prize Taken Away Because She is a Woman; Dozens of LGBTQ Students at Christian Colleges from Bob Jones to Baylor Sue the U.S. Education Department, Hoping to Pressure Equality Act Negotiations; and more
Good or Bad Applies More to People Than Professions
There are good cops and bad cops. Good pastors and bad pastors. Good teachers and bad teachers. Good judges and bad judges. Most often, people, not roles, determine whether someone is good or bad.
7 Examples of Slower-Impact Humanitarian Crises
Our nation faces clear humanitarian crises that affect the human family in catastrophic ways. Yet other situations may have a slower impact but are still extremely destructive to our well-being as a people. Here are 7 examples.
Under Half of US Adults Affiliate with House of Faith
Fewer than half of U.S. adults now claim membership in a church, mosque or synagogue, a report found. It’s the first time in polling history when a majority has not done so, following a decades-long membership decline.
Why Dr. Seuss Cancellations Are Good News
When news surfaced about the discontinuation of six Dr. Suess’ books because they depicted racial stereotypes, cries of ‘cancel culture’ soon erupted. But while there will be loss in this change and others, it will be worth it.
March 30, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: U.S. Church Membership Falls Below Majority for First Time; United Methodist Leaders Speak Out Against Anti-Asian Racism; QAnon’s Unexpected Roots in New Age Spirituality; and more
Good Faith Media to Host Writers’ Retreat in Georgia Mountains
“Open to anyone who loves words,” Good Faith Media will host its first Writers’ Retreat, Oct. 20-22, 2021, at Amicalola Falls Lodge in the colorful mountains of North Georgia.