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The Cost of Being a Christian

Christians love to blame social justice issues on large corporations, rich banks, corrupt governments, and our culture’s greedy obsession with money. But Westernized Christianity has quietly created an aristocratic population of its own, a “gated community” that only the most privileged and wealthy can afford to experience. (Photo (c) Dion Hinchcliffe, used by Creative Commons […]

Second-hand Wise

Click here to read Leah Wise’s reflection on how shopping in thrift stores–made popular by Mackelmore and Ryan Lewis–can actually be a way to practice better stewardship and do justice. While you’re there, take a look at the other articles on the RELEVANT website. (Photo: adiything, Creative Commons license. Thanks!)

Hunger & Obesity…Two Sides of the Same Problem

Here’s a fine TEDxEast talk by Ellen Gustafson, co-founder of FEED and The Thirty Project. Gustafson’s words bring challenges and much to ponder for all who desire to be good stewards of resources and self. (Photo by erix!. Thanks!)

Hope, Peace, Joy and Love

Advent is the time of waiting, but what are we usually waiting for? For presents? Parties? Santa Claus? Winter vacation from school? Travel to Grandma’s house? Dinner with family? The after-Christmas sales? The answer is yes, and no. (Image © Elena Schweitzer – Fotolia.com)

Let there be…Stuff?

Here’s a six-session faith-based curriculum that helps Christian teenagers explore the relationship between their consumption, their faith, and the health of the planet. It’s a creation of The Story of Stuff Project and GreenFaith and includes a slideshow and plenty of interactive components. Best of all…it’s free to use! (Image Courtesy The Story of Stuff […]

What do you Lack?

20th Sunday after Pentecost, October 14, 2012
Lectionary Reflection
What possessions, what “stuff,” and what intangibles are keeping you from following Jesus’ instructions for discipleship? This is another hard teaching, but it is one that comes with a promise. Photo: © dimdimich – Fotolia.com

We are What We Eat

Lectionary Reflection for the 12th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B, August 19, 2012

If it’s true that we are what we eat, we who claim to be Christ’s disciples better whet our appetites and feast on Jesus. Why? So that the divine presence and promise infuses our very pores like garlic, and so that we can share this everlasting meal with others.

A Week of Money Mindfulness

Here’s an intensive week-long challenge to help participants rethink how their relationship to money. Click here for “A Money Mindfulness Intensive” from Barrie Davenport of Live Bold & Bloom.  (Photo by formatc1 used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

The Toughest Topic: Talking About Money

Clergy are often reluctant to raise the subject of money. They know it is a sensitive area and people might get upset. Good church members are hard to find. Why risk losing them by raising a provocative topic? And clergy are sensitive to the reputation of the church in many quarters that “the church is only after our money.” But there are smart ways to raise the issue. (Photo © Carlos Santa Maria – Fotolia.com)

Trashy Stewardship

How much trash do you take out every week? One bag? Two bags? More? Your garbage serves as a pretty good indicator of your stewardship. Trash shows both how much you consume and how much you recycle — or fail to recycle! Can you do better? Sure! Here are some tips. (Photo © Olga Lyubkin – Fotolia.com)