So, after the most recent domestic massacres, the usual mantra pops up, “If the good guys were armed, we could stop the bad guys.” OK, I’m a good person. Let’s put a gun in my hand. Of course, I have no ability to judge distances because of a lack of depth perception. At my age, my arms tremble a bit when I’m holding something heavy so aiming straight would be nearly impossible, plus I’ve never fired a gun, much less... Read more
Dear Thoughtful Pastor: One thing is abundantly clear as I read my newsfeed on social media and the 24-hour news cycle: Much of the world is in fear. When I think about fear in the Bible, I mostly recall angels telling humans “do not be afraid.” Which probably means that angels were frightening to see or experience. Is fear bad for religious people to feel? How should people of faith respond to anxiety and terror? Is there ever an appropriate... Read more
Dear Thoughtful Pastor: How can “the church” as an institution address or correct social/economic injustices based on race both within the church and in society? How can the church itself restructure to ensure “power sharing” among people of different ethnic backgrounds? The church, generically used as a gathered people of God, carries the responsibility to live out the balance of grace and justice while speaking with prophetic voices. We also know these human tendencies: One, our instinctual fear of the... Read more
My mom confronted my sister about her drug problem again. Of course my sister continues to deny it even though we all know she is lying. She has been using her daughter to hide her drugs for her. She keeps saying she can quit on her own but she can’t. She is stealing money from my parents and she and her family free-load off them. It’s killing my parents. They just want to get her help but don’t know how.... Read more
A mass resignation of members from the Mormon church is expected to happen Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, over the newly seen rules that essentially ban children of same-sex parents from participating in any Mormon rites of passages until such children reach 18, leave home and disavow their parents. Members now in gay marriages have been declared apostates. Interestingly, according to the New York Times report, It appears that the new rules were not supposed to be made public. They were... Read more
“Nothing, I would argue, is more effective at driving people away from religion than watching its most elite representatives—the whitest, malest, straightest, most educated, with the biggest platforms—devolve into kindergarteners, ganging up on others, bullying, preaching a Gospel of intractability and exclusion.” The woman who wrote this, Kaya Oakes, is the author of The Nones Are Alright: A New Generation of Seekers, Believers and Those In-Between. Oakes contends that the increasingly tight retrenchment of conservative Christianity (both Catholic and Evangelical)... Read more
Dear Thoughtful Pastor: “There are obviously bigger issues for Christians than whether or not Starbucks celebrates Christmas in any shape or form. Why are so many so upset, what is it that they are really asking for?” I’m going on a rant here, but this statement drives me crazy: “We’ve got to put Christ back in Christmas.” The words suggest that someone has the power to take Christ OUT of Christmas. Can’t be done. Christmas IS the Christ Mass. The... Read more
Most of us can agree on major goals. For the church, it is “Love God with all your heart, mind, strength and soul and love your neighbor as yourself” and “Make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world” and “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” We can rally around those things with unity and purpose. BUT . . . the moment we seek to determine the details in the “how” of doing those acts of... Read more
My primary observations about worship: If you are a pastor and are reading this, do not ever shortchange your congregation in the message. They deserve the very best research, clarity of thought, illustrations that connect the temporal with the eternal for today’s audience, and practiced delivery. If you as a pastor dislike preaching or choose not to give that time adequate preparation, then find another profession. I attend church these days as a simple worshiper, no longer as a pastor in... Read more
Dear Thoughtful Pastor: Why don’t people like the Jews? Certainly in recent history (say the last 1,500 years) they have been persecuted more than any other group from what I can recall. Could it be the Jews set themselves up as an easily dehumanized target and the rest of the world took advantage? It is, of course, always easier to tear somebody down than to build yourself up. Dislike of the Jews started long before 500 of the Common... Read more
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