‘It is good once in a while to feel oneself in the hands of God, and not always eternally slinking around the familiar nooks and corners of a town where one always knows the way out.” Soren Kierkegaard “Pilgrimage” is one of the best metaphors for understanding the Christian faith. In 1678 John Bunyan wrote […]
Pilgrimage: Walking and Wandering as Spiritual Practice Read More »
During Lent a few years ago, our congregation began celebrating the Lord’s Supper weekly. At last, more than twenty years into our church plant-turned mission-oriented congregation, we became truly Reformed and truly ecumenical, honoring the best wisdom and practice of the global church. We love the sacrament more and more. Every Sunday the young and
Epiclesis and Loving Communion Read More »
Last week some church planters were gathered together in the hospitality house of a New York monastery. The conversation, like the people gathered, was lively and stimulating. Most participants arrived knowing each other only tangentially. We were only beginning to get acquainted. Even so, joyful banter and word play bounced gracefully from one subject to
Peppermints, Mentos and Communion with Children Read More »
Our calendars fill with special days. We circle them on our datebook or diary. We set annual reminders on our cell phones. We want to remember birthdays and anniversaries. We love to celebrate New Year’s and Valentine’s, Martin Luther King Jr. and Canada Day, Fourth of July and Thanksgiving. Or maybe our birth country taught
After a worship service a couple of years ago, a staff person (a delightful Peruvian woman who greets everyone, both first time attendees and dearly loved regulars, with a warm South American hug) was handed a note, “Dear Friends, on Sunday during the Passing of the Peace, we wonder: How do we pass the peace?
Gospel in a Handshake Read More »
There’s an old image for the pastoral vocation; it can be claimed by worship leaders too. It is to be a doctor of souls . . . It means in music and spoken word and Eucharistic invitation we offer healing. When I was a student at Fuller Seminary, there was a well-known and controversial class
A Scripture Reading from Psalm 88 You have taken from me friend and neighbor—darkness is my closest friend. Psalm 88:18 Many North American Christians are naïve about suffering. We design a remedy for every anguish. We go to the doctor to replace a creaky knee. We go to the pharmacist for quick pain relief.
Darkness is My Closest Friend Read More »
As we continue our Eastertide series in 1 Peter, we reflect on where we find our true identity. We are so easily swayed and distracted by the voices around us that try to define who we were, who we are, and who we are becoming. Our hope is that during this series we can join
