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Narrative Lectionary Reflection for December 28, 2014 (Year One)
One of the wonderful aspects of the Narrative Lectionary is that we are afforded the opportunity to enter into the Christmas story one more time. And we’ll hear it without any of the pressures and expectations that so often accompany the faithful and seekers alike on Christmas Eve. How will you make the most of this opportunity? (Photo: Waiting for the Word, Creative Commons License)

Freedom? What Freedom?

Reformation Sunday, Year C, October 30, 2016
Forget the vain promises of the world, the polarizing pander of candidates for public office, and the bootstraps mentality of contemporary culture. Real freedom is found only in deep relationship with God and with God’s people. (Photo: Osajus, Creative Commons)

Calling All Prayerful Peacemakers

Lectionary Reflection for the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year C September 18, 2016 The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in […]

  • September 15
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When Vision & Discipleship Meet Budget

Everything is a choice, and leaders choose the financial culture they create. Every conversation can be both a vision and discipleship conversation, including planning the annual budget. Invite congregants to invest in a vision rather than simply approve a budget. (Photo: © Artur Gabrysiak – Fotolia.com)  

Choose Life and Carry On

Lectionary Reflection for the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, September 4, 2016
Mama said there’d be days like this. But weeks, or months, or even years and decades? So it goes with life and discipleship. The truth of the matter is that neither life nor discipleship is a guaranteed picnic, cakewalk, or pie-in-the-sky supper club. So take divine advice: choose life and carry on. (Photo: Akuppa John Wigham, Creative Commons)

To Be Continued…

Lectionary Reflection for the 15th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, August 28, 2016
This week’s lessons provide several lovely opportunities to explore continued growth and development as members of the Body of Christ, that beloved community chock full of sinners and saints known as the church. Dig back into discipleship and faith formation with these themes and instructions. (Photo: Maarten Takens, Creative Commons)

Avoiding the Summer Giving Slump

True, summer is almost over, but now’s the time to begin working on avoiding a giving slump next summer. This short article from echurch.com will give you some ideas. (Photo: stuart, Creative Commons)

Controlled Burns & Faithful Forecasting

Lectionary Reflection for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, August 14, 2016
Fire has the power to destroy and the power to foster regeneration and new growth. What if we consider Jesus’ fire imagery this week as being that of a controlled burn, a deliberate fire kindled for the purpose of regeneration and new growth? (Photo: US FIsh & Wildlife Service, Creative Commons)

8 Ideas for Nurturing Healing and Health

“God is a God of whole-life health. Christ expects his church to engage actively in reaching the lost and setting the oppressed free—free from the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual barriers that rob all God’s children of abundant life,” says Pr. Mike Slaughter in this insightful reflection. (Photo: Photo © Warren Goldswain, Fotolia)

Strangers and Foreigners

Lectionary Reflection for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, August 7, 2016
Everything in this world is transitory, a part of a larger whole, a dot on the map of eternity, but happy are those who put their faith in God, who are ready to pack their tents and journey on to the final destination God prepares. (Photo: Ben Christenson, Creative Commons)