An Open Letter to My Fellow Republicans: Here are his questions: Are these real differences I see? Was it me that changed or the party, or did I just realize (late) what was always there? Regardless, should I stay (GOP) or should I go (Independent), or have I already gone? I’ve been a Republican for 20 years, for as long as I could vote, and I’m about to hit 40. But something has happened, maybe slowly, and if some things don’t... Read more
Pastors, next Monday (July 9), I will have a post about theological shifts by pastors — and the discomfort this can bring to them in their churches, and to their churches about their theology. This may be a day when you will have to comment anonymously, but I’d like you to come prepared next Monday to comment, to tell your story, and to offer your wisdom. Please link to or RT this post…. Read more
Do you agree with the direction of this article? John Blake, at CNN.com: Does a president’s religious faith make any difference in how he governs? “I don’t think so,” says Grinder, author of “The Presidents and Their Faith,” which examines the faith of all American presidents. “If I asked George W. Bush what he thought about torture, I think outside the presidency he would say he hates it,” Grinder says. “But he’d do it for the country if he thinks... Read more
Thom Rainer, a church consultant, describes what visitors to “church” see when they attend … there are issues here about buildings and what church means, but that sort of discussion aside, most churches are the sort where what visitors see matters. So here is Rainer’s list: After two decades of church consultation, a clear pattern emerged. These were the areas that engendered more comments and concerns from first-time guests. These areas are listed in order of frequency of response, and... Read more
The staff at BioLogos has but together a couple of infographics illustrating the various positions taken on science, the Christian faith and evolution. You can find more information about the graphic and the data that went into the graphic here. The original posts at BioLogos encourage people to share the graphics with anyone and everyone, but ask for a link back to site to acknowledge the source of the graphic. One of the infographics is focused on scientists and the... Read more
I hear it all over the place, and I’ve had pastors ask me to define “missional” and I’ve had college students say “that’s SO missional…” and so it’s time to take a quick look at the term and then at a new book by Don Everts, Go and Do: Becoming a Missional Christian. I begin making a few negatives clear: missional is not a new, fancy, PC, shorn of its weaknesses version of the word “evangelism.” Neither is it equivalent... Read more
This story reports the level of misinformation or ignorance about the ACA decision by SCOTUS, but that’s because the majority of young adults don’t watch news, don’t read newspapers, don’t read CNN.com … they rely on their twitter feed — and it’s full — for incoming information. So I would not say this is “staggering stuff.” The latest poll numbers from the Pew Research Center on the Supreme Court’s decision on President Obama’s health-care law are (yet another) affirmation of... Read more
What are you grilling for the 4th of July? We really like to grill asparagus, peppers, quartered onions, and some squash. And, of course, burgers but especially salmon burgers. What do you think of cedar plank grilling? Good smell but we can’t say the taste is that noticeable. But I have to admit: I like to grill the veggies on aluminum foil in a pan instead of on the grill itself. Read more
Did you see this post at The Weed — coming out as a gay man in a happy heterosexual marriage (his wife makes some comments in the post too) … well, you can read the whole (rather longish) post and drop your comments here. Lolly and I are sitting by a pool in the blazing sun, tanning our Seattle-white skin. We are having the time of our lives. Our kids are being watched by their Aunt Kati and Uncle Blake... Read more
By Marilyn Price-Mitchell: The 4th of July rarely passes without my remembering one of the most moving renditions of the Star Spangled Banner I’ve ever witnessed. It made me proud to live in small-town America and to be connected to something greater than myself. It also made me aware of how our coming together in community influences future generations and how one teachable moment can change the course of a child’s life. Whether we come together to celebrate our nation’s independence,... Read more
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