Recently, my friend, Rev. Traci Blackmon, posted on Facebook: “Concerning matters of racial justice… ‘An institution or congregation moves only as fast as the most fragile white person in their midst.’ - Dr. Jemar Tisby” From what I’ve experienced and observed, there is a lot of...
Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with Terrence Smith (Kill Pride Club) and Marthame Sanders (Mudeif Productions) about their transition from congregational pastors to alternative forms of ministry, the connection between intuition and disruption, and how the institutional church cannot contain the fullness of the gospel....
In Ancient Greece, “hypocrite” refers to the actor on the stage - the one who dons the thespian’s masks and makes believe - the pretender paid to entertain. Commentator Craig Evans notes that this idea of performance is likely in the background of Jesus’ warnings about...
Over the past several years we have encouraged church boards to ‘dig deeper wells’ of meaning and mutual understanding that can nurture their leadership in the midst of complexity and ambiguity. And then this week, author Seth Godin gave some nicely related advice: “Dig your...
Pilgrimage Formation Curator Ryan Bonfiglio speaks with the Rev. Jamie Butcher (Covenant Presbyterian, Atlanta) and the Rev. Kelly Chatman about the push and pull of dislocation, the connection between belonging and accountability, and their reflections on our Northern Ireland immersion experience. Listen here....
Twenty-one years ago, I graduated seminary and was quickly called to my first ordained position – an Associate Pastor for Discipleship at a large, thriving, multicultural, urban church. I was excited and eager to pursue my vocation. My first day on the job, I met with...
Program Director Adam Borneman continues his conversation with Elizabeth Lynn (Lake Institute on Faith and Giving) and Andrew Yeager about the disruptive power of parables, the important tension between prescriptive and open interpretation, and how stories can help preachers engage their congregations....
Consider these stanzas from the opening section of Walt Whitman’s Song of the Open Road: Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road, Healthy, free, the world before me, The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose. … (Still here I carry my old delicious burdens, I carry...
Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with Andrew Yeager and Elizabeth Lynn (Lake Institute on Faith and Giving) about our cultural fragmentation, the challenge of the attention economy, and their view from the pew as active laity....