Dr. Martin, please come back. Just for a day. It’s a mess around here, and we need you to set a few things straight. And by ‘mess’ I don’t even mean the general state of things, the wreck of relations between races (which might be as bad now as it’s ever been, in spite of the surface veneer), or the lack of justice that’s becoming more apparent to those of us who have been getting preferential treatment for generations. No,... Read more
Does the weight of the world lie heavy on your shoulders most days these past few weeks? I wrote many drafts for this month’s blog post on topics such as my first experience at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in support of a friend celebrating 6 years sober how mindfulness practice can quickly ease the inner voice of resistance my inspiring experience at the Transform Network DC conference on urban transformation. But ultimately, I’ve decided that the timing isn’t right to... Read more
“We” need to get politically organized! Forms of Progressive Christianity are clearly growing. Communities and expressions of inclusion and hope working for multi-valent streams of justice are present and expanding both in communal, autonomous settings and in institutions. Doug Pagitt’s short description on “progressive Evangelicalism” (http://www.faithstreet.com/onfaith/2015/02/19/10-things-i-wish-everyone-knew-about-progressive-evangelicals/36195) is tremendously hopeful and entirely on point. I had a chance dinner and visit with Doug (Convergence Network, Solomon’s Porch Church) and Cameron Trimble (Convergence Network) this February in Minnesota and left entirely enthused... Read more
We know the Body of Christ as the entire communion of saints, past and present, who profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We sometimes refer to ourselves as the hands and feet of Christ. What, then, does the Emergent Body of Christ look like? I would challenge us to look beyond the typical, narrow, and exclusive memes found in the institutional church that say things like: We must offer more youth and young adult activities, because our future is... Read more
The Catholic mystic Thomas Merton’s witness and wisdom can help those of us seeking to integrate contemplation and action today. Who would have thought that a cloistered monk, writing from behind the gated boundaries of the austere Cistercian order, would become a counter-culture hero, the “conscience of the peace movement,” as Daniel Berrigan called him, and a spiritual teacher to millions? Merton first published a spiritual autobiography narrating his conversion to Catholicism and the monastic life entitled The Seven Storey... Read more
There is much confusion in Christianity today surrounding the milieu of biblical eschatology. Specifically, there is widespread misunderstanding about the nature and timing of Jesus’ coming, arrival or presence (parousia in Greek). In popular preaching and imagination, it’s often called his “second coming” or “return.” Many life-long Jesus-followers are surprised to learn that these are not terms found in the Bible – and then to consider how these terms effect our thinking on just what this all means. But the rabbit-hole goes even deeper: What... Read more
Recently, my friend Jacqueline taught me a new expression. Sometimes, when things are as far out as people can imagine, we call that the cutting edge. Jacqueline taught me that the bleeding edge is even further out. It is an organic living boundary where something is happening, sometimes uncomfortable, but probably growth. I can conceive of business as usual. I can even imagine taking a risk in my spiritual life, a risk in believing, in loving, in seeking. Even if... Read more
tenure: the right to keep a job (especially the job of being a professor at a college or university) for as long as you want to have it –Merriam-Webster Tenure is the beautiful thing that allows professors to have a guaranteed position at a college or university for as long as they want it. It is a highly coveted achievement and one that is celebrated when it is received. Part of the beauty behind this is that it gives... Read more
Privilege is a word that I have not been able to go through a week without saying ever since my first year of seminary. I think that says a lot about the character of Wesley, but this is not a day for me to start rattling on about the things I love about my school. I promise to save that for next year around graduation when I am getting nostalgic. Privilege, (as some people know, some people do not know,... Read more
There it is again, the rhythm of my blood and breath. And here, now, yes right here is that treasured something like me, the soul created by Her and tasked with navigating this experience, and doing nothing more than creating a small island of peace and compassion. “This,” She whispers patiently. “Just this.” And I struggle to believe Her. Read more
Emergent Village
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