To preach about politics or not to preach about politics—that is a question many pastors are now asking with urgency. Those who say we should preach about politics often reference 20th c. German theologian Karl Barth, who said that preachers should hold a Bible in one...
“When you’re explaining, you’re losing.” Politicians of all stripes like to use this simple statement, often attributed to Ronald Reagan, as a guide to commanding attention and winning votes. A 2024 survey asked over 3,000 new car buyers how much a test-drive entered into their car-buying...
Program Staff Jennifer Watley Maxell and Adam Borneman continue their conversation with Julie Tiemann and Avril Speaks about telling the old stories in a new way, the power of being for the things of God, and what tools we might use to construct "the next...
A couple of weeks ago, a young adult in my church returned from vacation to find her career-related institution being dismantled. She was disheartened, saying, “I never wanted to be a freedom fighter.” While she advocated for students with disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds,...
The purpose of a beehive isn’t to produce honey. Honey is the by-product of a healthy hive. -Seth Godin When you joined your church board, you may have been told – with all sincerity – that your job is to produce honey. Well, not the sticky sweet essence...
Program Staff Adam Borneman and Jennifer Watley Maxell talk to Avril Speaks and Julie Tiemann about the concept of actionable hope, the importance of focusing on the Divine, and how all the information we absorb without narrative ends up disconnecting us....
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he...
Conversations with church leaders these days often turn to Gen Z (those aged 13-28) and the inevitable question, How do we get them engaged in our church? Sometimes we get to hear what their congregations have already tried, including the use of screens, innovations in...
Program Staff Adam Borneman and Adam Mixon continue their conversation with David Zahl (Mockingbird Ministries; Christ Episcopal Church, Charlottesville) and Heather Brown about David's latest book, wrestling with generational and systemic injustices, and learning to see grace as a gift....