Recent Articles
Leaders Face New Congregational Paradigm Post-COVID-19
Because of the global pandemic, congregational leaders face a paradigm shift like never before. It will require leaders to think outside the box and to be more participatory. And we will need everyone to double down, not opting out.
White Christian Majority Supports Trump Even as Affirmation Dips
Majorities of white Catholics, white evangelical Protestants and white non-evangelical Protestants continue to support Donald Trump for US president, even as his affirmation has dipped in recent months, a report says.
October 15, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis; The Book of Ruth: Justice Ginsburg on religious freedom; a megachurch leader’s California event generated a massive COVID outbreak; 70% of Jewish Americans support Biden; and more
Emerging Voices | Stopping Church Sexual Assault
Baptist churches have a sexual assault problem. If they want help, they could draw from the United Church of Christ model, which allows churches to maintain local freedom, build covenant with others and address the problem.
6 Reasons Why You Should Vote
Our nation is in the throes of one of the most contentious presidential elections in modern history, leaving many exhausted and daunted. Before joining the ‘What’s the point’ club, consider these six reasons why you should vote.
152M Remain in Child Labor Worldwide
There are 152 million children in conditions of child labor worldwide, a US Department of Labor report says. Of this total, 73 million are working in hazardous conditions and 25 million in situations of forced labor.
October 14, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis: Bipartisan Christian group forms Super PAC to oppose Trump; Women of faith merge as voices in the Amy Comey Barrett protests — both for and against; Venture funders flock to religious apps as churches go online; and more
Two Clues to the Story of Our Times
When historians look back at this time, they’ll focus on the widespread, white evangelical capitulation to a political ideology totally at odds with everything these Americanized Christians have claimed to value. Here are 2 clues.
Racism Cannot Be Tolerated in Church. Period.
How can churches who specifically name values like diversity, inclusion or tolerance still end up racially homogenous? Perhaps we must do more. In this case, align ourselves with clearly defined antiracist positions and boundaries.
Pope: Don’t Return to ‘Ailing Normality’
We should not desire a return to our pre-pandemic normality, Pope Francis said in a recent address. COVID-19 has revealed we lived in an ‘ailing normality,’ which was sick with injustice, inequality and environmental degradation.
October 13, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis: Ex-Members of religious group mixed on Barrett nomination; Southern Baptist Seminary has yet to make amends for its history of racism;’ Pro-Life evangelicals endorse Biden, Dobson rallies for Trump and ‘MAGA Church’ Debuts; California GOP installed unofficial ballot boxes in churches, gun shops, other venues; and more
How Your Vote Will Include More of ‘We the People’
Over the course of US history, our Constitution has been amended to include more people who were denied the right to vote originally. That’s why your vote matters. Voting ensures fair and full representation for all.
No Religious Test in Judge’s Confirmation Hearing
Confirmation hearings are set to begin today on the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the US Supreme Court. All senators should remember this: Do not ask questions that appear to impose a religious test.
2nd Good Faith Forum on Faith and Politics on Oct. 15
Good Faith Media will host its second virtual forum on faith and politics on Oct. 15. The next forum will feature panelists discussing how the circumstances and qualities make 2020 a presidential election like no other.
October 12, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis: The bond between Saint Mark Methodist and Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ community; David Brooks says America is having a moral convulsion; Yelp adds alerts for businesses accused of racism; and more
People of Good Faith: Missy Randall
Missy Randall is the experiences and events coordinator for Good Faith Media.
Religion and Politics: Would Jesus Be Partisan?
The only way to speak truth to power for much of human history has been in person – face to face with the powerful ones. In today’s democracy, we can vote to express truth to power. If Jesus lived in a democracy, he would vote.
Voter Intimidation Illegal; How to Respond If It Happens
In the first presidential debate, President Trump urged his supporters ‘to go into the polls and watch very carefully,’ raising fears he was encouraging voter intimidation. But voter intimidation is illegal. Here’s what you can do.
October 9, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis: Lawsuit against DC Baptist Church supported by 30 Republican senators; Abortion leads one way, immigration another for evangelicals; Pence’s handling of the coronavirus is straight out of the Religious Right playbook; and more
The Hug I Needed
We all need someone who gives us strength. We all need time to escape this world’s noise in order to rock a child to sleep or play on the floor. We need to find someone when we are weak, so they can be strong for us. Thanks, KK!
Voting for Relevance with Imagination
Many Americans will not vote during this election season because there is nothing relevant there for them. Nothing stirs their imaginations enough to warrant casting their vote. Maybe anger and fatigue constrain them from voting.
What Makes Educated Folks Vote Against Science?
I didn’t grow up with a dichotomy between faith and science. Yet the highly educated people I knew voted for anti-science candidate Trump and are ready to do so again. How could they? Turns out it was the wrong question.
October 8, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis: White supremacists remain United States’ deadliest terrorist threat; Do white evangelicals need Mike Pence anymore?; Wisconsin church offers free mental health services to community; and more
Christmas Can’t Come Too Soon?
Even as store Christmas displays pop up, we need to gird ourselves for a different kind of Christmas. But maybe a different kind of Christmas will let us reflect on a night when it didn’t feel like our version of Christmas at all.
Washington Set Tone for Presidential Transitions
George Washington set the tone for peaceful presidential transitions when he chose not to seek office after his second term. Today, our divided nation teeters on a knife’s edge as uncertainty looms over this election’s transition.
Humility: Cultural Virtue for Christian Journey of Antiracism – Part 3
Humility is an opportunity for letting go and listening deeply. Practiced at the level of culture, it is an invitation to learn about how our cultural superiority and white supremacy have devastated cultures and destroyed lives.
October 7, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis: The pandemic has hindered many of the best ideas for reducing violence; Trump evangelical advisors now contracting coronavirus; Churches and schools sue Virginia new LGBTQ employment rights laws; Religion plays an ‘enormous’ role in reversing Climate Change, says UN; and more
Reconsidering Affirmations of Faith
Affirming what one believes has a long history in religious traditions. A story about Waylon Jennings, however, reminds us that the simplest expression of faith often exceeds static, repeat-after-me faith affirmations.
Dancing with Covenant that ‘Brung’ You
We have broken our national covenant many times, lured away by other ‘seductive dance partners.’ As we make decisions about our nation in the next few weeks, let’s remember to dance with the covenant that ‘brung’ us.
Humility: Cultural Virtue for Christian Journey of Antiracism – Part 2
Humility, in respect to racism, means undoing the high view of whiteness, even if the lingering effects of white supremacy are unintentional. And it is unintentional since none of us would call ourselves white supremacists.