Recent Articles
January 19, 2023
Christianity Today Columnist: Anti-Liberalism in America is a Delusion of ‘Freedom’ That Will Only Lead to Violence; The Christian Right’s Mounting Attacks on Trans Youth; The Abuse of Religion to Foster Extremism is a Universal Phenomenon (and more)
Diggin’ It – for Real
I often highlight recent archaeological discoveries in this column. Have you ever wanted to be one of those folks who do the actual digging? Here’s your best chance ever.
Why We Have More to Worry About Than COVID-19
The sharp rise in RSV cases during the past two years, along with the seasonal cases of flu and cold, has revealed that we need a more pragmatic, and neighborly, approach to disease management. Here are four practical actions.
Nurses Top U.S. List of Most Ethical Professionals, Clergy Ratings Drop Again
Nurses remain the most ethical and honest professionals according to U.S. adults in Gallup’s annual survey on perceptions of various career fields. No other professions had more than 10% of all adults rate their honest and ethics as very high.
January 18, 2023
Following MLK’s Footsteps Means Resisting Christian Nationalism; The Pastor of Dallas’s First Baptist Church on W.A. Criswell, Donald Trump, and God Himself; Black, LGBTQ, and Religious Groups Ask Biden to Drop the National Prayer Breakfast; A Historic Meeting of Orthodox Christian Scholars Confronts Divisions and War (and more)
Today Is the National Day of Racial Healing
January 17 is the National Day of Racial Healing. It is part of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation effort, a national endeavor that is community-based and hopes to bring about transformational change.
Don’t Scapegoat Your Minister
Every pastor hears it: Just do what one of your predecessors did a few decades ago and all will be well within congregational life. This is not the truth, and it is harmful to congregations and their current leaders.
New Year, New Resolve
“New Year, New You” advertisements have filled my social media feeds. It’s easy to critique resolutions, but maybe the idea of adopting resolves is an opportunity to reflect on how we use our time and spend our days.
January 17, 2023
Biden Becomes the First Sitting President to Deliver a Sunday Sermon at MLK’s Church; The Kind of Revolution that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Envisioned; Deaths of Despair May be Driven by Loss of Religion, Paper Says (and more)
Reconsidering the Truths We Hold
The truths set forth by the authors of America’s Declaration of Independence authors are twofold. First, all ‘men’ are equal. Second, these equal ‘men’ were endowed by God with unalienable rights. Let’s revisit and reconsider these truths.
Following the Lead of a ‘Transformed Nonconformist’
King’s work and witness was, and is, celebrated because he was a “transformed nonconformist.” And while King is rightly praised as a civil rights icon, his message of peace, nonviolence and social justice was delivered mainly to congregations.
‘The Whale’: Movie Review
Studio A24 is known for making offbeat, even weird movies. Director Darren Aronofsky does also. They paired up in the making of “The Whale,” but the film they have produced is not offbeat or weird.
January 13, 2023
$2.5M Grant Will Study Religion in Mississippi and Restore Historic Black Church; Tech Gets Religion on AI: Inside the Vatican Summit with Islamic and Jewish Leaders, Microsoft and IBM; Indigenous Artist Featured at Super Bowl for First Time (and more)
Lincoln Lessons: Candles in the Window
The warm glow of candles emanating from the windows of New England homes has been a welcome sight each night, as Missy and I spend the month of January in Vermont, serving the United Church of Lincoln.
How MLK’s Pastoral Ministry Shaped His Civil Rights Work
Martin Luther King Jr. was first and foremost a pastor. No matter how much King’s audience grew, or civil rights work called, he always found his way home to regularly preach to his people.
A Terrorist by Any Other Name
To walk into a house of worship – regardless of the faith tradition of the congregation – and shoot unarmed believers is an act of terror. And yet, there are those who would praise such terrorists.
January 12, 2023
Martin Luther King III and His Family Share Reading List to Celebrate 40th Anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Church and State Mingle at Sarah Hucklebee Sanders’ Inauguration Service; Church of England Says it Knew of Slavery Links; Sets Up Fund to Address ‘Shameful’ Past (and more)
Martin Luther King Jr.: An Exemplar of Prophetic Citizenship
As the world commemorates MLK’s January 15 birthday, politicians, business leaders, educators, theologians, activists and students should reflect on the meaning of King’s life. I am glad to join that effort.
Pandemic Lessons: Macro- and Micro-Planning Is Essential
COVID-19 took the world by surprise, with the U.S. repeating many of the same mistakes it made during the 1918 influenza pandemic. Governments and individuals must formulate plans now to better respond to future disasters and pandemics.
Reaction and Response: The Changing Landscape of U.S. Religious Service Attendance
Most U.S. adults attended a religious service weekly or almost every week as children but less than one third do so as adults, according to a Gallup report. We asked several faith leaders to share their thoughts on this trend.
January 11, 2023
Oklahoma’s Endorsement of Religious Charter Schools Could Alter Legal Landscape for Choice; South Carolina’s Largest UMC Church Set to Leave Denomination; Israel’s Changing Demographics Show Far-Right Rule is Here to Stay (and more)
Six Concepts for Better Understanding Broader Issues Today
Defensiveness often accompanies being proven wrong, as many prefer comfortable untruth to uncomfortable truth. Many Americanized Christians, in particular, seem to be on the defensive against any criticism.
We Shall Overcome: Reviewing the Concept, Refocusing the Vision, Revisiting the Strategy
“We shall overcome…” became a rallying cry, motivator and impetus for the ’60s civil rights movement. As Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaches, let’s review the concept, refocus the vision and revisit the strategy.
U.S. Adults: Antisemitism Has Increased in Recent Years
Half of the U.S. says that antisemitism has increased in the last few years, according to a You Gov / The Economist report. Nearly two-thirds of adults feel that Jewish people face a great deal / moderate amount of discrimination in the U.S.
January 10, 2022
Abortion in America: How Access and Attitudes Have Changed Through the Centuries; Mt. Airy Church Opens 24/7 Outdoor Food Pantry for Community; What These 14 Religions Believe About God, in Photos; Jerusalem’s 2,000 Year-Old Pilgrimage Road Preparing for Modern Revival (and more)
Democracy Dies When Citizens Fall Silent
The final report from the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 insurrection has been released. Trump and his allies have decried the committee, but we saw the violence. Will we speak the truth or fall silent?
Good Faith Advocates Program Launches at Good Faith Media
Good Faith Advocates is a new advocacy and action network created by Good Faith Media. Good Faith Advocates are people committed to GFM’s mission and to helping the organization further its reach and impact.
Religious Trends Nationwide Not Reflected in 118th U.S. Congress
A declining percentage of the U.S. population identifies as Christian, and an increasing number are not affiliated with any religious tradition. A Pew report reveals that these changes are not reflected in the 118th Congress.
January 9, 2023
Faith Leaders Say Report by January 6 Committee Minimizes Central Role of Christian Nationalism; Christian Nationalists Raise Millions to Rebrand January 6 Terrorists as ‘Patriots’; A First for Reclaimed Kyiv Cathedral: Christmas in Ukrainian; As Biden Visits El Paso on Sunday, Migrants Flock to Church for Solace and Protection (and more)
Why I Spent a Christmas Eve in a Hot Pink Room
I begrudgingly left home in the dark on Christmas Eve because I had made a promise to a very lonely woman. Sitting in a completely hot pink room felt strange, but God was certainly present.