ByMichael Cooper-White Among the horde of authors and consultants who address the elusive subject of “leadership,” Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky have gained a place of prominence. Over the years they have examined dozens of effective organizations of all types in search of answers to a fundamental question: What makes them tick? What do the good and growing ones do differently than corporations or institutions that decline and fail? Just what are the traits of those in charge of … [Read more...]
Mark 1:9-11: The Pleasure Principle
February 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment
By Stephanie Buckhanon Crowder I must admit the title of this article refers me to an unusual source. Yes, as I write a biblical commentary, I cannot help but recall a song that is not rooted in the Bible. It is a pop song – not a hymn, spiritual or sacred anthem – that pricks my attention. I am not a Janet Jackson aficionado, but her song, “The Pleasure Principle” from 1987 has a few lines that are still appealing almost 25 years later: “I’m not here to feed your insecurities. … [Read more...]
Mark 1:40-45: The Inconvenient Truth about Taking Care of the Poor
February 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment
By Matthew L. Skinner Jesus was concerned about the very poor. I’m not trying to pile on Mitt Romney after the bad week he had. I think he and most other politicians are concerned about poverty, too, despite their occasional inability to do much about it. But their concern differs greatly from Jesus’. More about them later. … [Read more...]
Isaiah 40:21-31: On Faith and Football
February 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment
By Kathryn Schifferdecker “Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:30-31 NRSV). … [Read more...]
Mark 1:21-28: The Need for Authentic Leadership
January 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
By Rev. Angela Zimmann Once every four years, it happens like clockwork: Primary Season, when all across America voters trek to the ballot box to make history while our presidential contenders battle for every vote. This year, we watched as Mitt, Newt, and Rick traveled from Iowa to New Hampshire to South Carolina and saw the casualties occur along the way. Michele Bachmann is gone, Rick Perry fizzled, and Jon Huntsman faded away. Now it’s on to Florida for the January 31st primary. And … [Read more...]
Mark 1:14-20: A Call Worthy of Their Lives
January 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment
By Greg Carey Readers almost always gravitate to the same question. Why do Simon and Andrew, then James and John after them, abandon everything to follow Jesus? Mark leaves no doubt as to the immediacy of their response. Seeing Simon and Andrew casting for fish, Jesus says, “Follow after me, and I will make you to be fishers for people.” And immediately, Mark emphasizes, they leave their nets and follow Jesus. Likewise, Jesus immediately calls James and John while they are mending their … [Read more...]
Mark 1:4 – 11: Does Baptism Make for Better Presidents?
January 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment
By Andy Watts Christians seem to have a genetic disposition for describing people and events through a biblical lens. It makes sense. We are story-formed people, and the Bible shapes our political, moral and social imaginations. It follows, then, that our judgments about Presidents and presidential candidates will also arise from our Bible-shaped imaginations. … [Read more...]
Luke 2:22-40 – How Are We Caring for Our Children Today?
January 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment
By Susan K. Hedahl The enactment of religious rituals for children in the Jewish faith of Jesus’ time is the background of this only biblical glimpse we have of Jesus’ early infancy. This luminous text of hope from Luke’s Gospel is pictorial in its rendering of Jesus presentation at the temple. As a newborn, he is brought by his parents to be circumcised and officially named, following the custom of their faith. … [Read more...]
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