Browsing
True Wealth
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost Lectionary Reflection, Year C
September 29, 2013
There’s really no way to skirt the issue of wealth, poverty, and economic justice woven throughout this week’s lessons. Here are some thoughts and ideas to help you explore the issues faithfully in preaching, worship, teaching, and with children and youth. (Photo: Cea, Creative Commons. Thanks!)
Fully Faithful
Lectionary Reflection for the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year C
September 22, 2013
The parable of the dishonest manager provides a good context for discussing faith, commitment, and…money. How are you addressing the right and faithful use of resources within your community of faith? (Photo: Liz West, Creative Commons, Thanks!)
Really, Jesus?
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, September 8, 2013
Surely Jesus is kidding, right? What’s all this talk about hating family, carrying crosses, and giving up possessions? Discipleship can’t be that hard, can it? Maybe it’s time we stopped skirting the issue and started living with the questions. (Photo: Tsahi Levent-Levi, Creative Commons)
Three Simple Actions: Modeling Stewardship for ‘Tweens
Chris McKenna, Director of Middle School Ministry at Cornerstone United Methodist Church in Caledonia, Michigan, shares three simple actions to help ‘tweens become better stewards of God’s gifts. (Photo: Jose Kevo, Creative Commons)
Pious Materialism: How Americans View Faith and Money
Robert Wuthnow, Andlinger Professor of Sociology and Director of the Center for the Study of Religion at Princeton University, wrote this article for The Christian Century a decade ago, but his observations and critique of the failure of American churches and synagogues to address issues of faith and money in a substantive and effective way […]
So It Is
11th Sunday after Pentecost, August 4, 2013
Instead of preaching about greed, how about lifting the abundant life of interdependence and joy that Jesus teaches? Turn this lesson around and celebrate living life with focus, clarity, and purpose–in the moment–with God at the heart of everything. (Photo: Lori Bee, Creative Commons)
The One Thing in the Midst of Many
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 10, July 21, 2013
Just how distracted are you? This week’s gospel lesson reminds us to be more mindful of what really matters. Read on…and focus on the one thing. (Photo by Ally Mauro, used by Creative Commons License)
“Created to Give, Tempted to Keep”
Adam Hamilton, pastor and author, reflects on how we are hardwired by God to be generous but fall prey to the voices of fear and self-gratification. Click here for more. Click here to learn about Hamilton’s book Enough. (Photo: Liz West, Creative Commons)
The Abundant Joy of Inter-dependence
Lectionary Reflection for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
July 7, 2013
This is a Sunday to celebrate all the good things God has done, including knitting together the Body of Christ in an interdependent way that enables us to do far more than we could ever do alone. (Photo: )
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!)
