It always seems odd to me when I observe people trying to “evangelize” others by quoting Scripture at them. There’s a presumption that the content of Scripture is recognized by non-Christians as somehow relevant to them. But why should that be? Why would people who do not see themselves among […]
Beautiful Messenger
In a recent blog post, Nadia Bolz-Weber reflects on the demise of congregational singing in many churches. LutheranChik also observes how anemic congregational singing can be in churches these days. Both consider the reasons for this development, especially in churches which historically encouraged enthusiastic singing from the pews.
The Singing Church
We serve Christ by serving those in need. I encourage anyone looking to make a financial donation to support relief efforts in Haiti to consider the ELCA’s International Disaster Response – Haiti Earthquake Relief. One hundred percent of your donation will be used for the relief efforts in Haiti. […]
Responding to Need in Haiti
“Good ideas have legs” says JIM DWYER of the NY Times in his article Where Unsold Clothes Meet People in Need. The article provides an example of how a single person can make an enormous difference in the lives of thousands of needy people. He briefly describes how in 1985, […]
Good Ideas Have Legs
The Holy Spirit has a way of shaking things up: the church is born; people are inspired to proclaim good news from God – starting in Jerusalem and then to the whole world; old ways and understandings give way to the new; and those once alienated are reconciled and welcomed. […]
The Spirit of Change
On Saturday morning (November 14, 2009), I and about 300 other people gathered for a special assembly[1] of the New Jersey Synod. [2] According to the “rules”, the sole item on our agenda was the Synod’s 2010 spending plan – what most people know as a budget. But, whatever the […]
Discipleship and Budgets
A child is raped, and witnesses either ignore it or cheer.[1] People are beaten and murdered because of their race or perceived immigration status, and the victims are too afraid to seek help.[2] A disgruntled man opens fire on former colleagues at their workplace.[3] A mentally ill physician murders 13 […]
Anticipating Christ the King
In 2007, the Barna Group published a study of perceptions of Christianity among 16- to 29-year-old Americans.[1] They found that among young non-Christians, 87% perceive Christianity as judgmental, and 85% as hypocritical. Even among young Christians, about half agreed that Christianity is judgmental and hypocritical.[2] The researchers found that one […]
Where’s Jesus?
By Luann Albanese When I first started discovering who God was, as a child, I was terrified because I was taught that I had to behave a certain way or do certain things in order for God to love me and allow me into heaven with Him when my time […]