The Adventurous Lectionary – Trinity Sunday

Last updated on: May 20, 2013 at 2:56 pm By Bruce Epperly

Lectionary Reflections on Trinity Sunday – May 26, 2013 Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31; Psalm 8; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15 Today’s readings speak of a lively, energizing, relational vision of the Trinity, a far cry from the disembodied, abstract, and irrelevant descriptions found in many theological tomes. The Trinity, along with the Incarnation and the divine presence in history, is one of the great antidotes to the tendency of some Christians to see God as apathetic, a-historical, and unchanging in contrast to the passionate, evolving,... Read more

A Vision but Not an Agenda: Responding to Elizabeth Scalia’s “Strange Gods”

Last updated on: May 16, 2013 at 2:58 pm By Patheos Daily Reflections

I have recently accepted the call to be Pastor of South Congregational United Church of Christ in Centerville, Massachusetts. On a hilltop less than a mile from Craigville Beach in mid-Cape Cod, the setting of this historic congregation is just the other side of paradise. In the course of the search and call process, I was asked how I would lead the congregation toward new vitality and outreach in the community. My response to the Search Committee initially might have... Read more

Christian Formation as an Adventure in Provocative Propositions

Last updated on: May 16, 2013 at 2:53 pm By Bruce Epperly

Being a Christian means a lot of things, but a key element in the journey of faith is the exploration of provocative propositions: visions and statements that take us beyond familiar comfort zones to explore wild horizons of spiritual adventure. Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – Pentecost

Last updated on: May 15, 2013 at 9:16 am By Bruce Epperly

On Pentecost, mysticism – and this is a communal as well as individual mysticism – inspires the community to mission. Good news can’t be sequestered or kept to ourselves. Spirit bursts forth. Everyone gets the message. Read more

Pondering Thin Places: Reflections on Frank Viola’s God’s Favorite Place on Earth

Last updated on: May 7, 2013 at 1:10 pm By Bruce Epperly

Using literary license, author Frank Viola boldly asserts that Bethany, the hometown of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus was “God’s favorite place on Earth.” Bethany was the place where Jesus found rest and companionship. In a world of controversy, Jesus could enjoy a meal, laughter, and normal conversation. Perhaps, he could let down his guard for a moment and not be the Teacher or Healer, but the friend, who received as well as gave. No doubt, he taught the family plenty,... Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Sixth Sunday of Easter

Last updated on: May 6, 2013 at 12:48 pm By Bruce Epperly

Lectionary Reflections for the Sixth Sunday of Easter – May 12 Acts 16:16-34; Psalm 97; Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21; John 17:20-26 God is alive! God is at work in our lives! We can trust God’s loving-kindness in every life circumstance. With the apostle Paul, we can experience joy even in the most challenging situations. There are no guarantees of success and security, but there is the promise of companionship, care, and comfort, not to mention images of hope and possibility to bring light... Read more

When Mental Illness Hits Home

Last updated on: May 1, 2013 at 5:47 pm By Bruce Epperly

Amy Simpson’s "Troubled Minds: Mental Illness and the Church’s Mission" is a wake up call to the pervasive realities of mental illness in congregations and our need to move from alienation and otherness to communion and partnership. Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary – The Sixth Sunday of Easter

Last updated on: May 1, 2013 at 12:18 pm By Patheos Daily Reflections

The Adventurous Lectionary – Sixth Sunday of Easter – May 5, 2013 Acts 16:9-15; Psalm 67; Revelation 21:10,22-22:5; John 14:23-29 The motto of the United Church of Christ is “God is still speaking” and this is the heart of today’s lectionary readings. Christ is alive, death and tomb cannot thwart the good news of salvation. Christ is not localized or limited in impact. This good news is for everyone – woman and man, Gentile and Jew, stranger and friend. The historical reading from... Read more

Simplicity, Spirituality, and Sacrifice: Some Thoughts on Jeff Shinabarger’s “More or Less”

Last updated on: April 25, 2013 at 7:04 pm By Bruce Epperly

In Jeff Shinabarger's new book "More or Less," he challenges us to be persons of spiritual stature and embrace a holy consumerism that balances self-concern with care for others and this good Earth. Read more

The Adventurous Lectionary: The Fifth Sunday of Easter

Last updated on: April 24, 2013 at 12:37 pm By Bruce Epperly

As Genesis creation accounts narrate, as the universe emerged bringing forth new species of animals and plant life, with each step God proclaimed “it is good.” God parents forth diversity and nurtures ongoing diversity as part of God’s aim at beauty. Read more