In their splendid book, Shaping the Prayers of the People, on intercessory prayers in corporate worship, Samuel Wells and Abigail Kocher make a case that we need to be very careful about how we use the word “we.” They illustrate with five groups, for whom the “we” in the congregation/church/service might not apply: 1. Our troops: what if foreigners are present? 2. Our country: same. 3. Our young people (or our older people): what of visitors? or those who have... Read more
We have a new Archbishop in the Anglican Church of North America: Author: George Conger The House of Bishops of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) has elected the Rt. Rev. Foley Beach as its second archbishop in succession to the Most Rev. Robert Duncan. Meeting in a private conclave at St Vincent College in LaTrobe, Penna., on 22 June 2014 ACNA’s bishops joined by the Primate of the Church of Uganda, Archbishop Stanley Ntagali of Kampala, elected Bishop Beach by secret... Read more
Gary Black on doomsday eschatological schemes: Coming soon to a theatre near you (again) is the remake of Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkin’s first book in the multi-volume series Left Behind. These 16 stories convey their biblio-fictional interpretation of how John’s vision of the end of the world, as described in the book of Revelation, might play out in a twenty-first century context. But many readers and moviegoers may not understand the larger backstory conveyed in these books and movies. I think we... Read more
O Lord, Make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your lovingkindness. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Read more
Which States in the USA are the flattest? Illinois is flatter than every state but one, according to researchers, and is less hilly even than Kansas, a place once proven to be flatter than an IHOP pancake. Jerome Dobson, a University of Kansas geographer, set out to compare how flat states actually are with how flat people think they are. In a 2013 survey that asked Americans which state is flattest, a full third of respondents guessed Kansas. But Dobson’s... Read more
What to have for breakfast? Cleveland Clinic: You’re driving for hours on an uphill road. You’ve got the air conditioner cranked, the windshield wipers on and the gas pedal to the floor. After six hours, your car starts to sputter. You pull over to get some gas. Now imagine the car is your body. It works hard on autopilot all night to keep you functioning — yet too many of us don’t fill the tank after waking up. Unfortunately, skipping breakfast not... Read more
By Lauren Markoe: WASHINGTON (RNS) Americans are slowly pulling themselves out of a charitable slump — except when it comes to religious groups. That takeaway from the new Giving USA report, perhaps the most-read annual study on philanthropy, shows a slight downturn for churches and other religious organizations against an improving charity landscape. American individuals, groups, foundations and corporations gave $335 billion in 2013 — a 3 percent increase from 2012 (adjusted for inflation). It’s the fourth consecutive year in which giving... Read more
An announcement: Dallas Willard and Richard Foster opened the door for more Christians to explore the deep teachings of Christian spirituality in the great traditions of the church. Many of us have walked through that door and are discovering new insights for spiritual formation. One of the more profound insights for me is an ecclesial, or church, shaping of spiritual formation. Which is to say, this is not just about me and you but about us. The We of spiritual... Read more
Our Friday From the Shepherd’s Nook post is, as always, by John Frye. Jesus sits and teaches as the new Moses correcting the distorted teachings and practices of Torah related to marriage and divorce. We will review chapters six and seven of Scot McKnight’s Story of God Bible Commentary: Sermon on the Mount. Torah intends marriage to be one man and one woman committed-by-covenant to each other for life. Within that union, they may enjoy the erotic pleasures of sex... Read more
Thanks Shane. I oppose the death penalty. (RNS) It’s 93 degrees in Texas and the Rev. Jeff Hood is walking 200 miles across the state. What would compel somebody to do that? He wants to end the death penalty – and he is not alone. Hood is a Southern Baptist pastor, deeply troubled by his denomination’s stand on capital punishment and his state’s standing as the most lethal in the U.S. Texas executed 515 people since the reinstatement of the death penalty... Read more
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