Kerry A. Robinson always wondered why so many church leaders dislike the financial aspects of their organizations. Author of the book, “Imagining Abundance,” she says in an interview with Faith & Leadership that Instead of being uncomfortable with the task of raising money, Christian institutional leaders should embrace it as an essential part of their work and ministry. Read the whole interview for more insights. (Photo by Keoni Cabral, used by Creative Commons license.)
Lectionary Reflection for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, Year B, July 5, 2015
What might it look like to challenge congregants to speak boldly in the name of Christ, and to utter a prophetic word of hope, peace, justice, and love? Can we stand in solidarity with those who are suffering? Are we ready to make a difference, to raise our voices and lend our hands, or will it be to go on with business as usual? (Photo: James Trosh, Creative Commons)
Think about it: Every action has consequences on other humans and on the Earth. Here’s a cool resource to help you and your congregation learn the impact your actions have on the environment that we share with every other living creature. The covenant will help you commit to reducing your impact on others and walking lightly on Earth. Use the covenant as a learning project with the youth group, Sunday school class or the whole congregation. (Photo by Sun Dazed, used by Creative Commons license)
The earth cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her. We have come to see ourselves as her lords and masters, entitled to plunder her at will. The violence present in our hearts, wounded by sin, is also reflected in the symptoms of sickness evident in the soil, in the water, in the air and in all forms of life. (Photo by Aleteia Image Department, used by Creative Commons license.)
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Year B
June 28, 2015
The 1980s AT&T slogan “Reach out and touch someone” certainly applies to this week’s lessons. We reach out in faith–no matter how pitiful–and God reaches out to us in love and mercy. (Photo: Creative Commons)
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost Year B, June 22, 2015
One might think we wouldn’t need reminders of just how amazing the Creator of the Cosmos really is, but then again we are human and prone to forget that we don’t really control much of anything at all. It’s not about us; it’s all about God and God’s desire to be in relationship with us. (Photo: Stenly Lam, Creative Commons)
Ministers today face so many pressures, The intensity of the job itself added to the high rates of unrealistic expectations from church memberships or even leadership can set up ministers to burn out quickly and, often, to live with a great burden of guilt, frustration, and disillusionment. “Strategic neglect” may be a way for ministers to cope by taking a new look at putting first things first by better managing their competing commitments and finding homeostasis in their spiritual, personal, and professional lives. (Photo by Leland Francisco, used by Creative Commons )
Second Sunday after Pentecost Year B, June 7, 2015
How are you stewarding the gift of “home” that God has give you in Christ Jesus? This Sunday’s lessons give us an opportunity to consider this question and to count our blessings. (Photo: By Yours, Creative Commons)
Holy Trinity Sunday, Year B, May 31, 2015
This is the Sunday where it’s tempting to rehash and explain away the truly inexplicable nature of God and the concept of the Trinity: God in three persons. God in three essences. God in three expressions. Good luck with that! Why not simply tell the story of God’s relational nature and abiding and life-giving love? (Photo: A Davey, Creative Commons )
The breadth and depth of stewardship theology leads us to appeal to one another to discover lives of meaning and purpose, stewardship lives. This happens as we engage in worship of God and as we honor God’s plan; as we gather to encourage and support one another in a living organism, the Body of Christ; as we make a difference in the world through service to people and care of creation; and as we teach behaviors that free us from bondage to money. [Check out this powerful 17-page essay from ELCA Stewardship Resources.] (Photo by the US Bureau of Land Management, used by Creative Commons license)
