It is not the task of the church to "Make America Great Again." The contemporary task of the church is to make Christianity countercultural again. And once we untether Jesus from the interests of empire, we begin to see just how countercultural and radical Jesus'...
04238 – In Culture War Mode?
When you live in Culture War Mode there is always a battle to fight, a side to take, and people to fear. When you live in God's Kingdom there's always a stranger to welcome, a neighbor to befriend, and an enemy to love. --from Love Over Fear
04078 – Who’s In, Who’s Out
Making a list of which sinners are welcome in the church and which sinners are not goes against the teaching of the Gospel.
03517 – Be Ready to Welcome
The soul should always stand ajar, ready to welcome the ecstatic experience.
03349 – Be the Reason…
Be the reason someone feels welcomed, seen, heard, valued, loved, and supported.
03147 – Everyone’s Welcome?
We shouldn't say everyone's invited if we're going to act like they're not welcome when they come.
03004 – Religion at It’s Best
If your theology causes you to treat other people as less worthy of a home or love or care or safety than yourself--it isn't worth keeping. Religion at its best will always welcome the stranger, mend wounds, share blessings, remove barriers, and expand the table.
02748 – The Answer is “Yes!”
I’m mindful that for many of us, we have heard a lot of “no’s” in our lifetimes. Especially from people who think they are speaking for or defending God. Whether implicitly or explicitly, we’ve heard things like:"No, you’re not supposed to be asking questions like...
02723 – Tasting the Resurrection
We have longed to taste the resurrection. We have longed to welcome its thunders and quakes, and to echo its great gifts. We want to test the resurrection in our bones. We want to see if we might live in hope instead of in the twilight thicket of cultural despair in...
02580 – Returning to God & Self
As we prepare for the Lenten pilgrimage, we brace ourselves for what we might learn and experience through faithful practices that call us back to God. We begin with the smear of mortality on our foreheads, signifying that we are dust and to dust we shall return. Like...