Recent Articles
December 28, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: A Black Man’s Killing by the Police Exposes Ohio Congregations’ Bitterly Opposing Interpretations of Faith and Justice; From Religion to Politics: Here’s How Genes Influence Our Preferences; Gothic Revival Architectural Style: A Baptist Church and a Masonic Lodge; and more
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.
December 23, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Religion Scholar: From Biblical Times to Trump, False Messiahs Have Doomed Societies; Roiled by Racism, Dallas Christians Consider Their Place in the Fight Against Injustice; and more
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.
December 22, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis: Revelries of Christmas Past: 19th-century Arkansas Celebrations Involved a Lot of Alcohol and Fireworks; Christian Climate Activists Mount Christmas Guerrilla Poster Campaign; Mega-Church Pastor Has COVID 19 Days After White House Christmas; and more
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?
Majorities Around World Affirm Evolution; Christians Less Sure
A median of 74% of adults worldwide affirms that humans and other living things have evolved over time, a report said. With a few exceptions, Christian affirmation of evolution is below the national average.
December 21, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Georgia Pastors See Attack on Black Church in Campaign Against Warnock;
In Texas, Evangelical Republicans Rally to Keep Trump: He’s Part of ‘the Divine Plan’; Christian Terrorist in Texas was Paid ‘Investigator’ for Prominent GOP Activists and Donors; Young Southern Baptist Minister Endorsed Joe Biden, Then Lost his License; and more
People of Good Faith: Greg Milligan
Greg Milligan is executive vice president at Harney Management Partners, LLC in Austin, Texas. He is a member of the Good Faith Media governing board.
REMINDER: Holiday Cheers Virtual Gathering This Sunday
Mark your calendars! Good Faith Media invites you to celebrate the holiday season with us through a virtual gathering on Dec. 20 that we’re calling Good Faith Holiday Cheers! Enjoy music, comedy and good conversation.
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.
December 18, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Civil Rights lawyer warns that attacks on Black churches cannot be tolerated; Black Baptist pastor and church cut ties with Southern Baptist Convention over Critical Race Theory rejection; A North Carolina Baptist church spreads COVID during Christmas event; Women worldwide face harassment for clothing too religious or too secular; and more
Social Distancing Up, Public Mask Wearing Common
The number of US adults practicing strict social distancing is on the rise while most are wearing masks inside stores and businesses, two Gallup reports said, with 50% of respondents saying they practiced strict social distancing.
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?
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.