Recent Articles
Perform CPR on COVID-19 Patients? It’s Not an Easy Answer
Would you consider withholding a lifesaving procedure, like CPR, from a COVID-19 patient? Many of us would do whatever we could to save a human life, but the reality for healthcare workers is the answer is not always so clear-cut.
Loyalty over competence is bad management
By John D. Pierce Being surrounded by head-nodders who are afraid to offer constructive criticism, opposing viewpoints, and accountability may feel good. But it doesn’t make one a better person or leader. That approach, reflected so clearly in the current national...
This Lent Has Destroyed Your Illusion of Self-Sufficiency
Thanks to the coronavirus global pandemic, the most striking feature of this Lent is you have had to ‘give up’ something you never contemplated: Your entire view of who you are and what it means to be human.
Reaction and Response: ACTA Sends Letter to Hardin-Simmons Trustees
Citing five specific areas of concern, the American Council of Trustees and Alumni raised concerns about recent decisions at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, to close its seminary and other programs.
Pascua de Resurrección del 2020: ¿Pueden Coexistir Juntos el Temor, el Duelo y el Gozo?
¿Cómo podemos hablar de resurrección y vida nueva en un mundo donde el temor y el duelo parecen ser los estados emocionales y mentales dominantes? ¿Cómo podemos hablar de resurrección en este tipo de mundo?
Read on!
By John D. Pierce Looking for something good to read? Perhaps something with intrigue, mystery and sex? Well, yes, the Bible fits the bill, but also check out Nurturing Faith Journal. The May/June issue is filled with fascinating, original content — including a visit...
April 8, 2020
A Brief History of Passover, Which Honors Resilience Amid Adversity (National Geographic) Kentucky Church Lights Up Green to Show Compassion for Health Care Workers (Fox News) A ‘Liberty’ Rebellion in Idaho Threatens to Undermine Coronavirus Orders (New York Times)...
Celebrating ‘Health Care Heroes’ During Global Pandemic
Health care workers are battling COVID-19 daily across the globe, and we want to pay tribute to their courage and sacrifice. You can help EthicsDaily and Nurturing Faith honor their courageous and compassionate work.
A Different Kind of Holy Week, but Holy Nonetheless
Church facilities are closed, programs and services canceled or shifted to ‘virtual’ services. Things are not normal this year. Perhaps it’s an appropriate time to examine what ‘holy’ really means when we think about Holy Week.
When Your Life Loses Its Luster, Become a Child Again
Remember when the world was an exciting place. Remember being overcome with awe? That was before you grew up and lost sight of what was important. That was before you let the world take it away. Oh, to have the joy of a 2-year-old.
April 7, 2020
National Park Service Announces $14 Million in Grants to Preserve African American Civil Rights (Charleston Chronicle) Ongoing Religious Services Spark Debate Over Faith Verses Safety (ABC News) 7 Local Churches in Wisconsin Join Forces to Livestream Good Friday...
Reaction and Response: US Majority Holds Negative View of UN
More than half of US adults believe the United Nations is doing a poor job, a survey found. However, several faith leaders lauded the role it’s played in global affairs, particularly in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
With COVID-19, Proactive Self-Care More Essential for Ministers
Clergy and other caring vocations are already more at risk for burnout and depression than other professions. With COVID-19 added to the mix, proactive self-care has become even more essential for ministers.
How Your Church Should Respond to Sexual Abuse Victims
How the church responds to victims of sexual abuse, especially in the initial days of disclosure, can determine the trajectory of their healing. These “best practices” will help you respond from a victim-centered approach.
April 6, 2020
Surgeon General: This Week Will be Like a ‘Pearl Harbor’ and ‘9/11’ Moment (CNN) Women are Using Code Words at Pharmacies to Escape Domestic Violence During Lockdown (CNN) At Least 70 People Infected with Coronavirus Linked to a Single Church in California, Heath...
‘Good Faith After Hours’ Event Canceled
“Good Faith After Hours,” a social event planned for June 24 during the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s General Assembly in Atlanta, has been canceled.
What Can Your Church Do to Help Your Local Hospital?
As religious and civic leaders, we need to help our local hospitals and health care professionals care for the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. What you do may seem small to you, but it will be significant.
Why COVID-19 Isn’t the End of the World
Some may describe this moment of history in apocalyptic terms, but the apocalypse is not earth gone to hell in a handbasket by means of a bloody conflagration. It is the confidence in the promise of a new beginning.
A Eulogy of Sorts for the Mother I Knew Too Briefly
My mother died March 20. I loved her with wild abandon. After my dad molested my sisters, Mom took her first steps to the dark side, the last bit of hope rinsed from her heart. She became my father’s accomplice.
Building Trust and Teaching During a Global Pandemic
Teachers understand good teaching is about trust. You have to build relationships with students to engage the learning process. Building that trust becomes even more challenging when a global pandemic requires you to teach online.
April 3, 2020
Easter Preparation: Central Ohio Churches Have Faith in Social-Distanced Worship (This Week News) Nation’s Top Coronavirus Expert Dr. Anthony Fauci Forced to Beef Up Security as Death Threats Increase (CNN) Hillsborough GOP Backs Florida Pastor Arrested for Holding...
TRUTH & HOPE
By John D. Pierce In his timely new book, Truth & Hope: Essays For A Perilous Age, Walter Brueggemann writes: “Truth-telling is grounded in the God who will not be mocked by our illusions. Hope is God-grounded in the conviction that even our wayward resistance...
A Holy Week Prelude: Searching for the Helpers
As we find ourselves in perilous times, we also find ourselves seeking hope. As Holy Week quickly approaches, good faith people can connect with the Jesus story more this year than any before. Look for the helpers – then and now.
Lenten Reflections: 5 Faithful Responses to COVID-19
Lent is a time of honest introspection. The COVID-19 pandemic offers us a fitting chance to reflect theologically on what is going on in this difficult time and how to respond to it in faith. Here are 5 faithful responses.
Does Coronavirus Give You Chance to Take the ‘Great Pause’?
With many of us enslaved to our economic and social situations, we rarely slow down and rest. Yet Sabbath was God’s way of telling his beloved children they were worthy of rest. Is COVID-19 a ‘great pause’ for us to consider?
April 2, 2020
20 Sacred Spaces to Transport You Around the World (Travel Zoo) 27 Pictures of Religion During the Coronavirus Pandemic (BuzzFeed) COVID-19 is Twisting 2020 Beyond All Recognition (New York Times) Second Pastor Charged with Violating Public Orders Says Church Doors...
Lenten Lectionary | Serving Jesus Amid Cutthroat Capitalism?
To celebrate Jesus as Lord – like the crowds did as he entered Jerusalem – means following his lead in giving his life for others. In a nation inundated with nationalism, cutthroat capitalism and individualism, is that possible?
When You Call Your Pastor and Practice Social Distancing
Chalk it up to putting social distancing into practice. First Baptist of Gainesville, Georgia, called a pastor and hardly anyone attended. Instead, the pastor preached to empty rows of pews as members listened online or on the radio.
How Unruffled Leadership Will Benefit Your Congregation
The job of effective church leaders is to help keep down the level of anxiety in the emotional system of the congregation. Effective leaders help people manage their level of anxiety so they can accomplish their goals.
April 1, 2020
Virginia Orders End to In-person Classes After Liberty University Reopens (Market Watch) Over 1,200 People Attend Louisiana Church Service, Defying Coronavirus Ban: ‘We Will Continue’ (CBS News) Salvation Army Launches Emotional and Spiritual Hotline (KAGSTV) Asian...