By Laura Stephens-Reed Back before Christmas, the website Masterclass was offering a two-for-one membership deal. The opportunity to learn about any subject I could imagine was more than my inner nerd could pass up. I can virtually sit at the feet of experts in the arts, sciences, athletics, history, and more. A neuroscientist is currently … Continue reading
By Andy Hale As if it wasn’t obvious, we are not exactly in the most unified time in America’s existence. And when you zoom out, the entire globe isn’t exactly at peace with one another. We have factioned ourselves into divisive categories over political allegiance and cultural perspectives. There are very clear and alienated worldviews … Continue reading
By Paul Baxley This past Sunday we began the Season of Advent. So much was different this year. Because of the surging coronavirus pandemic, we did not begin Advent with large congregations in sanctuaries. Many more worshipped online than in person. We could not sing the carols of Advent with the same energy, instead the … Continue reading
Since 1985, the Network on Ministry in Specialized Settings (“COMISS”) has observed the last week of October as Spiritual Care Week – a time when we celebrate the sacred work of chaplains and pastoral counselors. This year’s Spiritual Care Week theme is “Collaborative Healthcare: Chaplains Complete the Picture.” Sometimes a picture is more informative and revealing than words. Often … Continue reading
By Paul Baxley The second chapter of Acts makes clear that from our very first day, the Church of Jesus Christ included people “from every nation under heaven.” By the powerful gifting of the Holy Spirit, the first disciples were able to preach the Gospel in ways understandable to people who came from many cultures … Continue reading
By Elket Rodríguez COVID-19 has transformed Fellowship Southwest’s immigrant relief ministries all along the U.S.-Mexico border. Among the pastors who guide the effort, some are reinventing their ministries, others have identified new service opportunities, and still others have suffered losses and obstacles that put their work at risk. Yet they demonstrate resiliency only achieved through … Continue reading
By Laura Stephens-Reed Two-plus months into doing all the things at home—working, parenting, recreating—every part of me is weary. As an introvert, I need regular time inside a bubble that popped long ago. I know that extroverts are struggling in different ways, unable to be in places and around people that give them energy. If … Continue reading
By Jason Coker The word “pandemic” comes from the Greek “pan” meaning all and “demos” meaning people. It literally means “all people.” The term has been used specifically to describe a disease—a disease that affects all people. Today we are in a pandemic. Some say that we have been in a pandemic for over two … Continue reading
By Blake McKinney I’d like to tell you the story of a church that is making a difference. I tell the story with some trepidation, because I know that Jesus cautioned against announcing our giving with trumpets. But right before that warning about tooting our own horns he told us to let our light shine … Continue reading
By Elket Rodríguez Prompted by COVID-19, desperation is starting to sink into refugee camps on the border. Some immigrants are leaving the camps, others are moving to shelters, but not many are taking buses to Mexico’s southern border to return to their home countries. Worse, some are thinking about sending their children to enter the United States unaccompanied. This is the somber humanitarian tragedy of the … Continue reading