Recent Articles
May 18, 2023
Mormon Who Left Wall Street to Work for Charity Blows Whistle on What He Says is His Church’s ‘Clandestine Hedge Fund’; Cyberfraud Cost Florida Baptists More than $700,000; Human DNA is Everywhere. That’s a Boon for Science, and an Ethical Quagmire. (and more)
Hot Fire, Cold Snow and Social Gospel
“Social gospel” names a way of following Jesus which seeks to address systemic injustices and inequities with organized efforts at social change. In truth, it is a redundant adjective. Here is why.
Generous Orthodoxy
The Gospels tell us that God’s mercy is unlimited and unconditional, and that God has no favorites. If that is true, then we need to ask ourselves why we so frequently tend to withhold God’s Spirit from others in our judgments.
White Christian Population in U.S. Stabilizing, Religiously Unaffiliated Increasing
The number of white Christians in the U.S. is showing signs of stabilization after decades of decline, while the number of religiously unaffiliated adults continues to rise, according to a Public Religion Research Institute report.
May 17, 2023
Hilton Head, Beaufort County Officials Clash on Historic Gullah Geechee St. James Baptist Church ; Most U.S. Parents Pass Along Their Religion and Politics to Their Children; The Most Notorious Sci-Fi Movie in Film History Was Funded by a Church (and more)
When Fear Defines Faith
Sitting across from a nervous passenger on flight during a family trip to Norway prompted reflection on how fear influences our emotions and actions – and how finding a way to move beyond fear is essential to human thriving.
The Power of Storytelling
I’ve always been of the opinion that storytelling is the most powerful tool in a preacher’s toolkit. Stories are the vehicles by which we discover who we are – and they help us imagine who we might become.
Texas Lawmakers Ignore Real Needs, Seek to Promote Christian Nationalism
Some politicians in the Texas Legislature are hyper-focused on adopting a far-right agenda while ignoring real issues and real people. Apparently, they think promoting Christian nationalism will result in amazing transformations in the public schools.
May 16, 2023
The Religious Landscape is Undergoing Massive Change. It Could Decide the 2024 Election.; Ron DeSantis’s Campaign Christianity; ‘Good Samaritan’? Ron DeSantis’s Defense of Subway Vigilante Sparks Controversy (and more)
One Year Later: Remembering the Victims of the Buffalo Mass Shooting
It’s been one year since the mass shooting at Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo, New York, that left 10 dead and three wounded. Fueled by that toxic combination of hate and ignorance, I wonder what we, as a society, are missing.
Why Rural Hospital Closures Should Concern Us All
The State of California is providing $150 million in loans to at-risk hospitals, many of which are in rural areas. Financial struggles of rural hospitals are happening across the U.S., and this trend should concern everyone.
‘Finding Love Later in Life’ Now Available from Nurturing Faith Books
Two couples share brunch and the joy of a surprise wedding at the Crooked Oak Restaurant in Ron Crawford’s new book, ‘Finding Love Later in Life: Brunch at the Crooked Oak Café’ published by Nurturing Faith Books.
May 15, 2023
Editor of Christianity Today talks ‘never’ supporting Trump over sexual assault and slams Pence’s ‘character’; Waves of Anti-Gender Bills in Republican-Led States Divides U.S. Faith Leaders; ‘Politics and Religion’: Why Two Longtime Republican School Board Members Have Had Enough (and more)
Wisdom Wherever You Find It | Nostalgia Really Ain’t What It Used to Be
Change is inevitable in our personal and collective life. Unfortunately, there have been those who have stirred up anger over inevitable loss as they tried to construct the world that they (think they) knew for the next generation’s pleasure.
Acute Food Insecurity Increased by 65m People Worldwide in 2022
High levels of acute food insecurity were experienced by 258 million people in 58 nations and territories in 2022, according to a report compiled by the Food Security Information Network and Global Network Against Food Crises.
Look Back | The Challenge of Gospel Hospitality
Does the world see Christianity as a friendly and hospitable faith? We’d like to think so, but many people perceive Christians primarily as judgmental folk who are focused on the afterlife and care little about others’ present needs.
Tired of Hearing About Gun Violence? Let’s Do Something About It
I’ve written twice about gun violence in the last two months. One thing is clear: putting more guns into circulation and providing easier access for individuals to purchase guns is not working.
Great Commission Religion Versus the Way of Jesus
Wherever Great Commission people have established a foothold in a society and advanced their notion of the religion of Jesus (notice that I said “their notion”), those societies have not become more loving and peaceful.
By the Way | Such Sweet Sorrow
I recently completed three-plus years of off-and-on (mostly on) supply work at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Española, New Mexico. The end came rather suddenly, which led to a reflection on relationships and community.
Why Is the ‘Great Commission’ Controversial?
The “Great Commission” is an interpretation of what Jesus said to his closest early followers at the end of Matthew 28. Briefly, Jesus told them to go to “all nations,” make disciples, baptize them and teach them to follow his commandments.
The Pool That Wasn’t
It came as a pleasant surprise to hear a knock at the door and see two friends and former neighbors who had stopped by just to chat. Their visit prompted reflection on an unethical archaeological dig in East Jerusalem.
Southern Baptists Report Continued Membership Decline, Uptick in Baptisms
The Southern Baptist Convention reported a continued decline in membership in 2022, even as the total number of baptisms increased, according to report published by LifeWay Research.
May 10, 2023
Religious Lessons and Symbolism from a King’s Coronation; Church of England to Vote Against Shell Chair on Climate; Texas Lawmakers Want to Bring Religion in Public School Classroom While Training 3rd Graders in ‘Battlefield Trauma Care’ (and more)
A Proud Boys’ Prayer and the Many Silent ‘Amens’
Before entering the U.S. Capitol building on January 6, 2021, a group of white nationalist Proud Boys knelt to seek divine support. Then and now, there are many silent ‘amens’ voiced by self-proclaimed Christians in the U.S. to such prayers.
Emerging Voices | Why We Must Stop Proclaiming the ‘Shame Gospel’
Preachers and pastors, knowingly or unknowingly, sometimes appeal to shame in sermons. This is a harmful practice and trend that must be rejected and abandoned for the sake of the gospel of love.
How to Identify and Respond to Covert Communal Narcissists
The term narcissist gets thrown around a lot and tends to be misused. And yet, covert communal narcissism happens regularly in many contexts – including houses of faith. Here are some ways you can identify and respond to them.
May 9, 2023
Texas Congressman Faces Criticism for Prayer Comment After Allen Mall Shooting; U.S. Political Groups and Their Religious Leanings; Book Review: Christian Faith Was Jackie Robinson’s Haven in a Heartless World (and more)
Let Freedom Ride
Democracy for African Americans is under attack. This is according to a new report from the National Urban League. As history repeats itself so does the call to let freedom ride.
Searching for Easter Eggs and Signs of Life
According to my limited research, the history of Easter egg hunts is debatable. During this Easter season, I’ve been reflecting on the intersection between egg hunts and our search for signs of life and hope.
How Giving Our Neighbors a Ride Could Save Lives
Millions of U.S. adults went without necessary health care services in the last 12 months due to a lack of transportation. One solution may be simpler than we think.