ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS April 8, 2025I received an email last week from a Christian organization. I frequently receive such emails, primarily from individuals actively seeking new supporters and donors for their religious endeavors. The email began by posing a question: “How is it that not everyone believes in God?” It then went on to explain how God put in the Bible dozens and dozens of proofs for the existence of
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS April 7, 2025Prayer for the Week:O Merciful Guide, as we enter a new week, we acknowledge those moments when we feel as if we are staring into an abyss and wondering if there is a way forward. In this Season of Lent, when we are slowing down to become more aware of our own breathing and your presence found within each breath, we begin to find both
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS April 6, 2025I was at an event recently where most of the folks in attendance knew I was a minister. At the table where I sat, in the lunch line, and even when we had a break and I was headed into the restroom, I had some interesting conversations with people. It’s almost as if people think I’m only interested in talking about religion or church. At
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSApril 5, 2025Yesterday morning, I pulled out my electric hair clippers as it was probably time for another haircut. Yes, as you’ve probably noticed, I cut my own hair… have for 20 years. Over those 20 years, I have purchased two clippers, around $30 each. I’m always trying to figure out ways of saving money, and this was one easy way. Of course, it might be time
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSApril 4, 2025A lot of people confuse being humble with being humiliated. At first glance, there might be some similarities, at least from a distant observation point. But choosing to be humble begins with a choice, a fully conscious choice. Humiliation is often an intentional choice by an individual or group to inflict suffering upon another person. The one humiliated did not participate in the choice. The
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSApril 3, 2025When the church decides to be the church and not simply protect or glorify a church building, miracles have been known to happen. I’m not suggesting someone leaps from a wheelchair and begins to dance, but I have witnessed someone confined by a low sense of self-worth, only to meet Jesus in his present embodied expression known as the church, and their demeanor was forever
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSApril 2, 2025In Mark 9, we have one of the Passion Predictions, or to say it another way, Jesus tells his followers where this story is headed. Jesus said to them, “‘The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.’ But they did not understand what he was saying and
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSApril 1, 2025In four years, Easter will fall on April Fool’s Day. This will be the first time since 1956, thus the first time in my lifetime. Of course, Easter comes on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. We have some time before it happens on April 1, but it does make me wonder how ministers will preach that Easter Sunday.
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 31, 2025This is part of a prayer the youth wrote for Youth Sunday—God of many names — Lord, friend from heaven, Mother and Father God, Creator and Source of Life, we are so thankful for the way you inspire kindness, love, and forgiveness. You inspire us because you first shared these same gifts with all creation. Meet us and nourish us—allow for every form of creativity
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 30, 2025From our friend, Rev. Dr. Terry EwingVice President of Advancement,Phillips Theological Seminary I heard it said recently, “It’s easier to be angry.”This statement doesn’t really require much explanation, because it is—it’s always easier to get angry. What is your default response? In everyday situations and interactions, what is your first response, what is poised below the surface, constantly tuned to any provocation, or the hint