There are plenty of church and college issues to consider now in this time. The following is a review of governing documents. I am in the process of discerning, perhaps not in a traditional sense of finding a new ministerial path. However, I am searching for a vocational direction. I would love to remain under some sort of Christian umbrella if at all possible. There have been multiple times in my career when I have been able to do so,... Read more
Toward the end, I will explore what I personally consider to be a lesser way of engaging in ethics, although it is my opinion. There are group norms, a way of ethical decision making (more like sociology) that is a little more messy, perhaps digressing into groupthink. “The definition of religion is elusive to both scholars and lawmakers. But to the common man, religion ought to have a primary concern with moral conduct, with setting norms for behavior. If this... Read more
Who are the leaders at the time of Christ? Is there a group who are considered part of a 3rd space at the time, if we think in something like concentric circles? All three circles expand from an inner group sometimes called the Temple Cult. Priests, Levites, Synagogue Leaders/Priests, etc. Recognized leaders Pharisees, Scribes, Lawyers, etc. To use the term Temple Cult may seem offensive Cult in no way implies occult in historical Theology. This is a way of narrowing... Read more
I’ve heard it too many times, especially in the church world. “It should just take a couple of years.” I’ve seen very similar plans recently. In the previous article, I shared the idea of a 3rd space, referring to 1) regular places for teaching (i.e. Temple, Synagogue, etc.), 2) homes of a prominent leader, and then 3) the suggestion that outside is a 3rd space, at least as Mark recounts the emergence of the ministries of John the Baptist and... Read more
Do people create a 3rd space or a 3rd order? How can the practice of solitude, silence, and even a sense of communion with the natural order be separated from the decisions-miracles-dialogues which follow many of the vignettes at the beginning of Mark’s account? Teachings usually occur in the synagogues, at the Temple Festivals, possibly at a prominent leader’s home as well. We see multiple examples of this in the Gospel. However, we see a real 3rd space or order... Read more
At the outset of the day, there is a word I continue to consider, as I have over time recently. The word is easy to track back to if one is to conduct etymologies. However, an absolute definition of the term is not so easily offered. There are schools of philosophy and names who are well known at the Christian family table of dialogue, who have spoken to the thought over the centuries. The term is essentially one developing at... Read more
At one point in the early part of this century, a couple with one spouse (or both) in a graduate school was ranked at the top of every family stressor. Yesterday (Saturday, 05.07.22) it all started with an article from Harvard (9 min read) CLICK HERE There really are jobs in religion in conjunction with other fields of work, not only on campus. I’m not much of a politician. Yet I really like the eventual outcome of working with the... Read more
As stated in the previous article I’m sharing some narratives about a woman, a mother, and a well-respected regional leader. She had national influence, and certainly now has global prowess. The second story connects the continuing work of some of her children and her ability to flow across the threshold. She moved from smaller groups at the table to larger crowds. She already has a well-ordered vocation within and without the home, a life as an educator, as a formal... Read more
I hold to some favorite stories told about the wife of a respected regional leader. Of course they are documented and readily available in some centers of advanced learning. For the sake of brevity, I’m going to share two of them today with a brief video. I’m pursuing plain English, especially since these narratives are based on true stories. However, any person or type of corporate body can interpret these brief remarks in any way desired. Names could be used.... Read more
” …You know what I always say, ‘Make potatoes and a man shows up!'” i. Oh really? Let’s work on that and warm it up a little bit Of course, on my health journey I would like to know if the potatoes idea could work with red potatoes. For some terrible reason, I’m craving a root beer float from A&W. I don’t even drink, unless under the umbrella… of a liturgical communion, which is good but not really for me... Read more
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