RCL Reflection for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year C, May 17, 2020
Jesus makes it sound pretty simple: Show our love by keeping Jesus’ commandments. This is how you show your love to me, he says. This is how folks will know you are different, by your love and by the way you live out that love in a hundred little ways every single day. (Photo: Elvert Barnes, Creative Commons)
The COVID-19 pandemic will surely have a long-term impact on the financial life of congregations, regardless of their denomination, size or makeup. How can churches survive and even thrive in a post-pandemic landscape? Faith & Leadership asked 12 leaders to weigh in. (Photo: Joshua Smith, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection, Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, Year A, February 16, 2020
This week’s lessons give us the opportunity to lay out the path of the choices God offers and to describe the elements that a life of deep discipleship. More than that, friends, we have the privilege of telling the story of how radical discipleship changes lives. (Photo: Quinn Dombrowski, Creative Commons)
If 2019 was not a good year financially for your church, you are not alone. Churches across the land are facing tough times. When church income takes a dip, it’s important to be asking the right questions in order to devise the right strategy. This article from Horizons Stewardship offers some great pointers to direct […]
RCL Lectionary Reflection, Proper 28 (33), Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, November 17, 2019
We as the church face some stiff challenges, but that’s okay. There’s nothing that God cannot make a way from, and we are promised that God will never leave us. Even if our structures crumble and burn to the ground, the Spirit will resurrect something new from the ashes. Are we ready for God to do a new thing? (Photo: Peter Kaminski, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection for September 29, 2019
God’s faithful and generous people recognize that money is a neutral tool that can lead to great good and joy or enormous suffering and woe. It’s all about the attitudes we hold toward money and how we respond to them that make the difference. This week’s lessons offer a great opportunity to preach about right use of resources. (Photo: Alex Cheek, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection, August 25, 2019
In past Year C cycles I have looked at Luke 13:10-17 as an admonition to observe sabbath rest, as a call to see that others are able to enjoy rest, and as a call to greater faithfulness. Yes, those elements are certainly there, but this year, my eyes were opened in a new way. (Photo: J Stimp, Creative Commons)
Everybody knows we need to get enough sleep, but who knows exactly why? WebMD has put together a page with links to a number of resources on the health benefits of sleep, the reasons why many people sleep poorly and what we can do about it. Something to answer all of your sleep concerns and […]
Instead of hanging back, Christians should be leading the environmental agenda, says Cambridge University scientist Bob White, in this thoughtful essay from the U.K.’s Jubilee Centre. White lays out a biblical, theological and moral foundation for getting involved. What are you waiting for? (Photo: U.S. Forest Service, Creative Commons)
Operation Noah offers a list of actions, ranging from beginner to advanced, to educate and equip congregants to become more engaged with environmental stewardship issues, including climate change. Visit Operation Noah’s website and download a PDF for use in your context! (Photo: Michael Livsey, Creative Commons)
