Recent Articles
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?
Pandemic Could Raise Learning Poverty by 72M Children
School closings due to the COVID-19 pandemic are projected to increase learning poverty by 72 million children in low- to middle-income nations, a report said. This would represent a 10% increase from 2019.
December 16, 2020
Today’s curated news and analysis headlines include: Covid-19 and religion; Responses to D.C. church vandalism; Racism in the Georgia Senate races; and more
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.
December 15, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Descendants of enslaved Blacks explore Virginia’s history; Evangelical leader Beth Moore trends on Twitter after calling Trumpism ‘Seductive and Dangerous’; Germany facing a Christmas lockdown; and more.
Good Faith Media Chooses Two New Interns
After a successful launch of the Ernest C. Hynds Jr. Internship in the fall semester of 2020 for Good Faith Media, two new interns have been selected for the spring semester. Meet Jessica McDougald and Jana Peterson.
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.
December 14, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Biden’s Catholic Faith Will be on Full Display as the First Churchgoing President in Decades; What NIH Chief Francis Collins wants Religious Leaders to Know about the Coronavirus Vaccine; Christian Nationalists Much More Likely to Reject Vaccine, Study Shows; and more
People of Good Faith: Michael Cheuk
Michael Cheuk is a leadership coach, congregational consultant, community organizer and a founding member of the Charlottesville Clergy Collective in Charlottesville, Virginia. His work can be seen at MichaelKCheuk.com.
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.
December 11, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Hanukkah celebrations shine a light in a dark world; Christians more cautious about gene editing; JFK was greeted with rock star suppot from Catholics, but Biden faces a more divided tribe; and more
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.
December 10, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: ‘God Be With Us’: Deaths from COVID in a South Dakota town; Joe Biden goes to church, politics remains outside; Why is religion suddenly declining?; and more.
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.
Governments Won’t Do Right Thing for Vulnerable
The US should not be trading with countries that do not meet minimum standards for fighting human trafficking. Sadly, we can’t count on governments to do the right thing for vulnerable people. We can only control our own actions.
4 Ways You Can Help with Migrant Crisis
While the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says people have the right to flee their country to seek a safe place to live, it also means countries like the US have the responsibility to accept them. Here are 4 ways you can help.
December 9, 2020
In today’s news and analysis headlines: A fake ‘War on Christmas’ and the real battle against COVID; Georgia’s Loeffler-Warnock debate high-lighted the GOP’s anti-Christian hypocrisy; the loneliness of the Climate Change Christian; and more
Have Yourself a Petty Little Christmas – Or Not
While many suffer from unmet basic needs during this pandemic-ridden year, the Liberty Counsel’s great concern is that ‘Christian’ shoppers steer their dollars to merchants who might reflect their bigotry and pettiness.
Joy and Justice: Two Sides of Same Coin
Joy and justice have become two necessary sides of the same coin in this unforgettable year. This Advent, ask yourself how we might create a world that is more joyous and just for ourselves, our community and for others.
Nationality: Your Right to Belong in This World
Nationality is the right on which all other rights hinge, telling the world where you belong. But more than 10 million people in the world are denied this right. History has been severe to those robbed of their right to nationality.
December 8, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: The weaponizing of religious views; What the church meant for James Baldwin; Why universities need religion studies; and more
No Room for Debate: Trans People Have Rights
Maybe it’s acceptable to argue about whether or not pineapple belongs on pizza or which Star Trek franchise is the best. However, when it comes to human rights, including trans rights, there’s simply no room for debate.
Do We Observe Human Rights or Practice Hypocrisy?
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights contains lofty words that affirm the dignity and equality of all humans, but those words aren’t matching our actions. Until those lofty words do, they amount to blatant hypocrisy.