Suppose you poll most churchgoers on the most popular and familiar of all of Jesus’ parables. In that case, you’d probably have two leading candidates, The Parable of the Good Samaritan and The Parable of the Prodigal Sons. Recognized worldwide as one of the more inspiring stories of compassion and hospitality, The Good Samaritan has … Continue reading
Over the past few weeks, members of the Duke Divinity School community (and friends— featuring Taisha Seabolt of CBF Global Missions) gathered to offer prayers for world communion Sunday. Members of the community that are featured represent geographies, ethnicities, and nationalities from across the world. Please join them, and us, in prayer this world communion … Continue reading
Do you remember that scene from The Princess Bride, in which Inigo Montoya questions Vizzini’s continued use of the word “inconceivable”? It simply cannot be the case that Vizzini continually finds himself in inconceivable situations. Therefore, Inigo states, “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” When … Continue reading
By Chris West I recently had the chance to sit down (virtually) with Melissa Florer-Bixler to discuss her new book How to Have an Enemy: Righteous Anger & The Work of Peace. Florer-Bixler is the pastor of a Mennonite congregation in Raleigh, NC, that is actively involved in social justice work and advocacy for marginalized … Continue reading
By Sarah Hemberger Let’s talk about what scares you. I don’t mean the kind of scared you get when watching those horror movies this time of year or the sudden jolt you feel when someone jumps out and surprises you. No. I’m talking about fear—that deep emotion you cannot avoid, yet struggle to find the … Continue reading
By Anna Anderson When we are asked to submit prayer requests for the monthly Prayer Associates guide that goes out to a large segment of the CBF churches, individuals and other supporters, we never really know who reads these requests or where they end up going. Last fall, in our work with the benevolence ministry … Continue reading
What if, before you were born, your soul went through a rigorous vetting process to see if you are viable for human existence? What if your essence was given a litmus test on what it means to be alive and appreciate life in the moment? Would we pass the test? These are just some of … Continue reading
As a child, I feverishly read comic books. The Amazing Spider-man, X-Men, Batman, Green Arrow, and Daredevil were among my favorites. Of course, like every comic book nerd, I secretly wanted to be bit by a radioactive spider, have my skeleton replaced with adamantium, or have a tragic backstory that propelled me in fighting injustice. … Continue reading
By Caleb Mynatt When the COVID-19 pandemic sent the world into lockdown, it was an unprecedented and often chaotic transition for churches to make. And while figuring out the logistics of virtual business meetings and livestreaming worship services certainly wasn’t easy, there is one group of church leaders that perhaps had the toughest transition of … Continue reading
Journey to the Cross, the devotional series for Lent, returns to d365.org, beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 17th. This series features scripture, prayer, and meditative thoughts accompanied by gentle music. This year’s themes and writers are as follows: Preparing for the JourneyAngela Grover – Director of Christian Education at St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church in Boerne, … Continue reading