ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 5, 2024A couple of studies I recently read looked at Religious Trauma, what I have often called spiritual malpractice or even called spiritual violence by some. High doses of guilt, fear, and intimidation in the context of a religious body have dramatically impacted more than 1/3 of people living in the United States. More than 15% of people are continuing to suffer and live with the
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 4, 2024Prayer for the Week: Holy God, whenever a change is needed—whenever the reset button is put before us—whenever a reshaping of life would honor you and the ways of Jesus, we pray for the capacity to hold your sacred purpose above all fear and to strive for your calling, whether it be something small or something significant. We do not pretend such decisions are easy,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 3, 2024Today will be a good day! I say that not because I know about anything special that will make it a good day, but because I sort of wonder if there is a better chance of it being a good day if my attitude and expectation are suggesting it might be. I have always believed that if I am open to the possibility, I am
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 2, 2024Change is hard! And though some people might suggest that they are fine with change, I tend to believe that group of people is much smaller than we might think, and the change that doesn’t bother them is change that does not really impact them. At the Men’s Retreat a few weeks back, Rev. Paul Koch, who served as our keynoter, talked a lot about
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 1, 2024On this day in 1692, a group of people were brought before the local magistrates in Salem Village, Massachusetts, for what would be the start of the Salem Witch Trials. Now much of what has been shared about the trials is exaggerated or misunderstood, and of course, many movies have used the trials as a starting point for some fanciful horror stories. Depending on who
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 29, 2024There is that one extra day every fourth year that I’m not too sure what to do with. I’ve got an extra day this year—an additional 1/365th of a year—that I could use for some wonderfully crazy idea that will forever change history. Sadly, this extra day will probably feel a lot like yesterday and tomorrow. But why can’t we approach today like we’ve been
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 28, 2024In yesterday’s Etching, I asked about the emotion you first felt when finding yourself needing a reset in life. Some of you referenced fear, while others talked about hope or even relief. As I thought about those three specific emotions, I found myself resonating with all of them, as there have been different times in life with entirely different resets that brought different reactions. There
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 27, 2024I took a quick flight to Lincoln, Nebraska, on Sunday night, spending only a short time in town. But after boarding the plane, I had an interesting experience. My seat was in the last row of the plane, and when I sat down, no one else was seated in my row. The plane was nearly filled when a family came down the aisle. They got
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 26, 2024When the night seems unwilling to yield to the dawn, I seek courage to step forward, believing the new day lies ahead. This is my request to you, Holy One of Grace, on behalf of all who have felt the night undeterred by the cries of those longing for even a hint of light. Amen.
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 25, 2024Today in our Traditional Worship Service, we have a baptism (it’s right at the beginning, so don’t miss it). I am a pastor who probably gets a little too goofy around the baptismal experience, yet there is something so beautiful and compelling about the ritual. I have been asked numerous times about the meaning of the ritual, and I have started to respond by saying,