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Go! Make Disciples.
Lectionary Reflection for Holy Trinity Sunday, Year A, June 15, 2014
Instead of pondering the essence of the Trinity this Sunday, why not celebrate Jesus’ call for us to live out the full expression of God’s mercy, grace, and love in the practice of making disciples? It’s a tall order, but we are not called to go it alone. We do it together, and we do it with God. (Photo: Frank Ates)
The ‘M’ Word: Talking About Money
In too many churches, money is the No. 1 taboo topic, but it’s avoided only at the congregation’s financial peril. Here is a handy guide for any congregation that wants to do better — a national publication dedicated almost entirely to money. Articles include, “Components of a Stewardship Program,” “Opening New Doors of Giving” and “Growing Generous People.” (Photo by Bev8200, used by Creative Commons license)
Just Eating? Practicing Our Faith at the Table
:Just Eating? Practicing Our Faith at the Table” is a seven-session curriculum for congregations that call us to integrate the commitments and practices of our faith into the way we eat. The study uses scripture, prayer and stories from the local and global community to explore five key aspects of our relationship with food. (Photo by JBloom, used by Creative Commons license.)
Seeing Red: Word, Wind, and Fire
Lectionary Reflection for the Day of Pentecost, Year A June 8, 2014 When the day of Pentecost had come they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Acts 2:1-2 Go ahead! […]
Wrapped in Prayer
Seventh Sunday of Easter Year A, June 1, 2014
As we leave Easter for the long, green season of ordinary time, may we never forget that relationship with God is anything but ordinary. May we also never forget that prayer is powerful and in it we enter into conversation with our Lord, into the very presence of the Divine. (Photo: Bill McChesney, Creative Commons)
Neighbor-love’s Moral Framework for Markets That Serve All
If the market has become our God, what does it mean to confess Christ? It means trusting what Luther called the first principle of Christian doctrine — the gracious love of God given in Christ, a saving love that cannot be shaken from us or diminished by any force in heaven or earth. And it means heeding Luther’s second principle, the call to embody God’s love in our lives by loving neighbor as self. (Photo by Pandah, used by Creative Commons License)
The Bible Calls For Moral Action on Climate Change
When it comes to climate change, here is the moral narrative. What will your grandchildren’s grandchildren ask about why we, and why you, did not do what was necessary for them? Why were we so selfish and short-sighted? And here is the biblical and spiritual narrative: does care for God’s creation really allow us to exploit the earth and its resources for short term economic self-interest? Is that good stewardship and the humble worship of God? (Photo by Giuliano Maiolini, used by Creative commons license)
5 Cultural Norms that Threaten the Church
What if the biggest threats to the church weren’t the things we thought they were? We may find that we’ve been blind to more subtle and subversive influences that are having a greater impact on the church than the issues that consume us.Here are just five overlooked cultural norms that are contrary to the Kingdom and are sinful within the Kingdom, unknowingly supported by many of us. ( Photo by Ignorant Walking, used by Creative Commons license)
Stewards of the Promise (Part Three)
Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year A, May 25, 2014
We are, to be sure, imperfect stewards of these amazing promises. Yet somehow, we are assured that this is enough, and in our striving to love and know God we find our lives overflowing with divine goodness and abundance. (Photo: Marcelino Repayla, Jr., Creative Commons)
Stewards of the Promise (Part Two)
To be a steward of Jesus’ bold promise in this week’s reading implies that we will fully invest ourselves in passing on the faith, in sharing the story, and in continuing the work of Christ. In doing so we align our wills to Christ’s will, and as his body visible today we boldly carry his message to the world. (Photo by Charles Clegg, used by Creative Commons license)
