Michelle Van Loon encourages churches to welcome everyone: "A few years ago, I did an informal survey of nearly 100 pastors and church leaders and heard mixed perspectives on the older members in their congregations. While some expressed gratitude for their wisdom, experience, stability, and ongoing financial support, others were frustrated. They said the older […]
The Atlantic republishes Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail. Dr. King concludes this way: “Never before have I written so long a letter. I’m afraid it is much too long to take your precious time. I can assure you that it would have been much shorter if I had been writing from […]
Jon D. Wilke remembers the life of Louis Evans: "’We are grateful for your thoughts and prayers,’ Pastor Evans wrote. ‘Many have asked how to help during this time. In honor of Lois, I would also love for you to consider sending flowers this week to your pastor's wife. Lois loved receiving flowers but she […]
Sophie DeMuth reviews Daniel Darlings’ new book on Christmas: “One of the greatest strengths of the book is its ability to zoom in on the details of each character’s story while also keeping the entire context of scripture in view. Instead of staying within the confines of Matthew and Luke, Darling ventures from Genesis to […]
Trillia Newbell fights against discouragement: “David also preaches to his soul not to forget the Lord’s benefits. This reminder, of course, is not only for times of discouragement and sorrow. Regardless of the season of life that we’re in, we should always remember the work of the Lord on our behalf. When we are discouraged, […]
Tish Harrison Warren brings Advent to the New York Times: “I do not want to be the Grinch tsk-tsking anyone for decorating the tree early or firing up ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ before the 25th. I’m all for happiness, joy, eggnog, corny sweaters and parties, but to rush into Christmas without first taking time to collectively […]
Kelli Rosati interviews Kay Warren about her new ministry, Breathe: “Matthew was actively suicidal for so long that we lived on the edge every single day. We woke up going, “Is this the day? Is today gonna be the day that we lose him?” And after living in that hyper-vigilant state for so long, I […]
Isabel Chenot takes a theological look at gender: “The glory of new creation then is not of ‘male’ or ‘female’ simpliciter. For both are one, animated by one Spirit (Gal. 4:4). The particular realms of authority Paul deals with are not to set up one sex or another, but to clarify that image of one […]
Barbara Castle weaves the story of A River Runs Through It with her own: His shared insights into brotherhood helped me to stop blaming myself when I could not fill the empty void for my boys. Jane Austen declared “What strange creatures brothers are!” They often elude my basic feminine instincts especially when it comes […]