Slowly appreciation swells to astonishment. And we enter the dialogue of our lives that is beyond all understanding or conclusion. It is mystery. It is love of God. It is obedience.
03049 – Learning from Listening
I have learned significantly from empathetic and mutually respectful listening and dialogue with persons of other religions and advocate such dialogue. from A Thicker Jesus
03033 – Violence is Immoral
Violence never brings permanent peace. It solves no social problem; it merely creates new and more complicated ones. Violence is impractical because it is a descending spiral ending in destruction for all. It is immoral because it seeks to humiliate the opponent...
00928 – Church Music Selections Must Have Purpose
The primary functions of music in worship are to facilitate the dialogue and to contribute to that dialogue. Though aesthetic delight, personal enjoyment, and opportunity for a performer to share a talent may be by-products of the use of music in worship, none of...
00863 – Church Music is Theological Expression
I believe we should consider church music basically to be THEOLOGICAL expression—part of the dialogue between God and worshipers. With few exceptions, music in worship is coupled with important words. For this reason, we should choose literature—for instance, hymns...
00739 – Worship is Prompted by God
Worship is a dialogue, but the initial call comes from God who begins the conversation. from Dynamics of Worship: Foundations and Uses of Liturgy
00579 – A Congregation Worships
The idea of “sacred space” is important [for worship]. The word “sanctuary” implies safety, shelter, and protection. A worship space communicates an otherness, but also a haven where individuals can come into acceptance, reflection, and space. A congregation is in...