Recent Articles
March 18, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Atlanta Massage Parlor Shooting Suspect Robert Aaron Long, a Professed Christian, Had a Passion for Guns; US Treasury Secretary Meets With Faith Leaders About Debt, COVID-19; Jesuits Pledge $100 Million for Descendants of Enslaved People the Catholic Order Once Owned; and more.
The Micro and Macro Faces of Racism
Racism must be acknowledged and addressed on both the micro and macro levels. “Favors” for a few cannot erase or replace the pursuit of equity and justice for all.
Crosses, Crucifixes and Leaving Behind “Too Catholic” Stereotypes
Fundamentalist Christians tend to view the crucifix as “too Catholic.” Yet, the image of Jesus on the cross invites us to consider how we might see God dwelling in unexpected, challenging places.
Evangelicals Aren’t Dealing Well with Grief
Grief is not something many evangelical congregations in the U.S. handle well. Half-baked appeals to the sovereignty of God and pious aphorisms often harm, rather than help, the suffering.
March 17, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: The Post-Trump Crackup of the Evangelical Community; Did You Go to Church Last Week? Might Depend on Who’s Asking; The Cohabitation Dilemma Comes for America’s Pastors; Archaeologists Discover New Dead Sea Scrolls for First Time in 60 Years; and more.
Not-So-Great Expectations, but Hopefulness
Will society acknowledge, confront and atone for white supremacy? Will churches address the “sanctuary elephants” of old exclusionary ways? There’s work to be done on the attitudes and actions of us all.
Beyond Symbolic Posturing about Eliminating Racial Discrimination
A day to acknowledge racial discrimination and hope for its end is good but not sufficient. Racism and racist policies, practices and processes must be treated as a mortal threat and eradicated.
Jim Crow, the Party of No and the Real “Cancel Culture”
Claims of “cancel culture” are voiced by those who feel their privilege and power are being diminished. However, the real “cancel culture” is seen in the legal obstructions created to hinder participation in the voting process – efforts that recall the Jim Crow era.
March 16, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: The Christian Tourism Industry is Having a Rough Year; Black Christians Discuss How Faith Informs Their Stances on Abortion; U.S. Lawmaker Suggests Gun Control Isn’t Needed Because Biblical Characters Killed Each Other Without Guns; Yoga May Return to Alabama Schools, But ‘Namaste’ Still Forbidden; and more.
What a Day It Would Be If We Did It
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is an opportunity to take a firm stance on race and name it as the lie it has always been. This would take more than a day, but what a day it would be when we did it!
Appreciation Leads to Awe, Radical Amazement
A 18-wheeler transport truck with an Einstein-theme mural painted on the side.
Most U.S. Protestants Plan In-Person Attendance Post-Pandemic
A new report found that most Protestant churchgoers planning to attend in-person worship when it is safe to do so. So, clergy can mostly breathe a sigh of relief regarding post-pandemic engagement.
Latest Nurturing Faith Book Focuses on Life Together
Jeff Hampton jumped at the opportunity to write a weekly church blog post, offering up his thoughts on matters of faith. Ten years later, he’s still at it, and has collected his writings on community into a book.
Beth Moore’s Leaving Follows Path Many Have Taken
Beth Moore’s decision to leave the Southern Baptist Convention mirrors the path taken by droves of women (and men) who have walked away from a system whose foundation is built upon the oppression of many, including women.
Polio’s Eradication Offers Lessons for COVID-19 Pandemic
Most polio strains were eradicated due to international coordination and cooperation. So far, the COVID-19 response has seen far less cooperation than will be necessary to bring this novel virus under control. No single nation can solve this pandemic on its own.
Look Back | Will We Respond to Fear or Our Better Selves?
Prophetic voices we now claim as heroes once called us to abandon our prejudices and work toward a more just social order. Will we heed the voices calling us to our better selves? Or will we continue to mask our prejudices with legalities?
March 12, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: The Capitol Attack: White Supremacist Terrorism Meets Evangelical Christianity; Atlanta Churches Partner with Walgreens for Three-Day Vaccine Clinic; GOP Congressman Says Voting Rights Bill is Written ‘by the devil himself’; and more.
Voter Suppression Laws Spit on the Grave of John Lewis
John Lewis spent his life advocating for voting rights for all. Currently, legislatures across the country are working against his legacy by seeking to pass laws that will make it harder to vote. People of faith should oppose such efforts.
New GFM Podcast on Race, Religion and Politics Drops in March
Starlette Thomas is a womanist in ministry and the host of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast. Thomas and guests talk about that taboo trinity — race, religion and politics.
Fears of the Faithful Hinder Care, Bring Harm
The failure of Christians to own their fear results in actions and ideas that harm LGBTQIA+ persons. Such fear leads down the road of hate and scapegoating if left unchecked.
March 11, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Baptist Seminary of Kentucky to Open Institute of Black Church Studies; ‘The Horror Has to Stop.’ Spiritual Advisors to Death Row Inmates Decry Recent Wave of Federal Executions; As a Pastor, I Pray my Flock Comes Back. As a Religion Demographer, I’m More Realistic.; Prominent Evangelical Beth Moore Says She’s No Longer a Southern Baptist; and more.
Think Your Taxes Are Too High?
Another U.S. tax season is upon us. While it can be stressful, particularly for those who might owe money to the state or federal government, the experience of one Roman soldier might make you feel a little better.
Plagues, Vaccinations and the Future
Like the Israelites trudging through the desert, the pandemic has left us with “shortened souls.” The vaccine program is providing hope, and we will have an opportunity to make a fresh start in relating to God, one another and creation.
Ecumenism Vital for the Future of Theological Education
Theological education is in a state of flux, requiring innovation to find viable paths into the future. Here is how one Baptist / Church of Christ collaboration is modeling a way forward.
March 10, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: 11 Christian Women Shaping the Church in 2021; Study Suggests that the Modern Anti-Vaccine Movement is Shaped by Christian Nationalist Ideology; Latino Churches Push Covid Vaccine Enrollment, but Some Spread Misinformation; and more
Sneaking Favored Souls into the Christian Clubhouse
U.S. evangelical leaders have changed the boundary lines for select individuals whose politics align with their own. They seem willing to embrace or excuse whatever ugliness is needed to protect the cultural dominance of white Americans.
“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.
March 9, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: The Spiritual Problem at the Heart of Christian Vaccine Refusal; History Professor: How the Study of Evangelicalism has Blinded us to the Problems in Evangelical Culture; LGBTQ Rights Bill Ignites Debate Over Religious Liberty; and more.
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.