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Participatory Faith

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost Lectionary Reflection, August 12, 2012

What are you doing in your worshiping community to foster a participatory, joyous, and experiential faith? This week’s lessons offer some encouragement, ideas, and an opportunity to address the issue. (Photo by Charles Atkeison used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

A Holistic Approach to Wellness

According to recent reports, the health of church leaders is at crisis level. So what’s a leader to do? Here’s a resource from Duke Divinity School that provides solid information, thoughtful questions, and a good graphic to use with clergy groups and church councils or mutual ministry teams. Click here to read “A Holistic Approach […]

Cultivating Spiritual Growth

Lectionary Reflection for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 5, 2012
How’s the work of cultivating disciples going in your community of faith? Paul has some good words for spiritual gardeners in this week’s epistle lesson, and the gospel reminds us the master gardener’s mentoring that sustains us. (Photo by hans s used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

The Scary Math of Climate Change

Here’s a detailed article by Bill McKibben published in the latest issue of Rolling Stone magazine that explains the chilling math of climate change. Regardless of where you stand on the issue, McKibben’s thoughtful analysis is a must-read for anyone who cares about the stewardship of creation. Click here to access the article. (Photo by […]

Bread, Water, and Signs of God

Lectionary Reflection for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, July 29, 2012

Where do you see signs of Jesus in your daily life? Start simple. Think small. Even bread and water can point you to God.

Creation Care Devotional Guide

Looking for a stewardship of creation devotional guide to use? Here’s a good one from webofcreation.org that provides scripture, a quote from the ELCA social statement “Caring for Creation,” a creation care fact, a prayer, and ways to become more involved and committed to caring for God’s good creation. Click here to access the free […]

Faith-Based Study Guide on Climate Change

Here’s a five-part study guide on climate change from the National Catholic Rural Life Conference. Using a reflection/action methodology called Shared Christian Praxis, this study is designed to help people use critical thinking to reflect on their own experiences relating them to their faith and moving them toward future action. Click here for more information […]

Take Good Care of You!

Lectionary Reflection for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
July 22, 2012
Jesus encouraged his disciples to rest and care for themselves so that they could better care for others. How are we as individuals, leaders, and congregations encouraging good self-care stewardship practices? Read on for more information! (Photo by HaPe_Gera used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)

Stewarding One’s Self

A recent study of United Methodist pastors in North Carolina confirms a disturbing fact: clergy are good at caring for others but not good at caring for themselves. Rates of obesity, depression, and several other chronic conditions are significantly higher for members of the clergy. Click here to read more. (Photo by One From RM […]

At What Cost?

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost Lectionary Reflection July 15, 2012 And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer. ” — Mark 6:23-24 Everything has […]