Secret Stones

Last updated on: February 2, 2012 at 12:34 pm By Victoria Peterson-Hilleque

I find it very sad when we become trapped and unable to live freely as a result of oppressive people and institutions, religious and otherwise. But it is even more tragic when we remain trapped long after those who hurt us are gone. This untitled poem is for all of us who have experienced this or been in relationships with those who have. I know secrets hang from your heart dense stones open the windows wings will sprout then fly... Read more

Postcards from Claremont: Part 2

Last updated on: February 2, 2012 at 12:23 pm By Bruce Epperly

Emergent Village Conference on Process Theology: Day 2 Christology is not a Disease, but a Pathway to Finding God Everywhere “If Jesus Christ is the center, there is no boundary.” My friend, teacher, and mentor John Cobb shared his thoughts this morning on Christology, that is, how we understand Jesus Christ’s relationship to us and the world. This is truly a treat, to hear Professor Cobb, now 86, speak of lively, open-spirited, and innovative Christianity. John is one of the... Read more

Postcards from Claremont: Process Theology & Emergent Church

Last updated on: February 1, 2012 at 12:41 pm By Bruce Epperly

Emergent Village 2012: Process Theology and the Emerging Church, Day One What a day of rejoicing – process theologians and emerging Christians in conversation. Theological energy was bursting forth and passion for ministry was palpable. For a long time, I have felt that process theology is an ideal companion to emerging Christianity. While many emergent Christians have been influenced by the deconstructionist postmodernism of John Caputo and Peter Rollins, I believe that the multi-sensory, multi-theological, community-oriented vision of emerging Christianity... Read more

The Second of February This and Every Year

Last updated on: February 1, 2012 at 10:51 am By Phyllis Tickle

PATHEOS – Feb 2012 I am not a feminist. I feel compelled to say that right here at the beginning, probably as an apology. The truth of the thing is that I was born far too long before the feminist movement for my understanding of gender to have been shaped into anything like a contemporary posture. That does not mean that I don’t applaud most of the cultural and political changes that have been effected by the younger women who... Read more

Evangelism Celebration

Last updated on: February 1, 2012 at 9:42 am By Doug Pagitt

Today my book Evangelism in the Inventive Age releases and I want to celebrate with my Emergent Village friends by giving you a copy of BodyPrayer. There are two ways to get in on the celebration gift: Order a copy of the book today. Mention that you bought it on your social stream (Facebook, Twitter, or blog) and send me an email (Pagitt at Gmail.com) with the receipt, link and your mailing address. Order the book by Feb 15 and... Read more

An Evangelical Pentecostal Naturalist?

Last updated on: March 9, 2012 at 10:00 am By Michael Dowd

I’m often described in the mainstream media as an ‘Evangelical minister’ or ‘Pentecostal preacher’, even though I speak far more often in moderate and liberal churches (and in secular settings) than I do in Evangelical, Pentecostal, and Emerging Church venues. Not surprisingly, I’ve been asked on a number of occasions, by both religious liberals and conservatives, “In what sense do you consider yourself a Pentecostal Evangelical? And how does that mesh with you being an outspoken religious naturalist?” For 33... Read more

Simply Simplicity, Part 2

Last updated on: January 30, 2012 at 7:37 am By Nick Fox

Today we continue my thoughts on Simplicity from the corresponding chapter in Richard Foster’s book, The Celebration of Discipline. Simplicity “is an inward reality that results in an outward lifestyle.” Both are equally important, because the outward lifestyle without the inner reality is legalism, but the inner reality without the outward lifestyle is not simplicity either, but hypocrisy. Last week we discussed the attitudes of the inner reality. Today I will share Foster’s “ten controlling principles for the outward expression... Read more

Holding a Space Open for the “Other” (further thoughts)

Last updated on: January 28, 2012 at 2:03 am By Tracie Giesbrecht

A few days ago I wrote about holding a space open for the “other”. You might want to start there before reading this post. I’m writing from the perspective of different cultures getting along together and different faiths respecting each other but these principles are also useful in knowing and understanding our children (teenagers for example), divorced spouses, teachers, employers….really anyone it’s difficult to understand and come to a middle ground with. If we don’t hold the space open, reserve... Read more

my broken family (Church vs. Art)

Last updated on: July 21, 2012 at 8:37 pm By Michael D. Bobo

I love art. I teach it. I try to preach it to others. My faith is truly alive due to artists – both old and new. They imbue hope, life, and peace. Rembrandt and Michelangelo, Goya and Picasso, and more recently Wooster. These are my commentaries upon the Scriptures. As a Christian this often lands me in two worlds simultaneously. One foot in church related things and the other in creative arts. I’ve found the bridge is most often me. I enjoy... Read more

Holding a Space Open for the “Other”

Last updated on: January 25, 2012 at 2:04 pm By Tracie Giesbrecht

How good are you at hearing someone else’s opinion? How long can you hold a space in your heart open for someone who is very “other” than you? I’m new at living in a Middle Eastern country. I’ve been in Qatar 6 months now and although I’m new to it I am also immersed in it. Everyday I’m watching and processing what I’m seeing. Everyday I’m confronted by differences and everyday I’m trying to understand. Everyday I’m reading about the... Read more