Incarnationalists, like me, love the way the holy occupies the ordinary. We are most excited at Christmas time when God becomes human, the holy becomes fleshy, eternity becomes… read more

Terror and tragedy gripped the churchgoing population of Knoxville, Tennessee and rippled across the country on July 27, 2008 as reports spread of a violent shotgun attack at a… read more

Vibrant, fruitful, growing congregations practice radical hospitality. Christian hospitality is the active desire to invite, welcome, receive, and care for those who are strangers … read more

There is an erroneous assumption that being a Christian is equivalent to being a nice person. True Christ-following goes far beyond simple friendliness, however, to a genuine… read more

In a society that is becoming increasingly mobile, and where world-wide migration patterns of immigrants and refugees guarantee a constantly changing and diverse society, United… read more

Christmas is the time of the year when Christians celebrate God's greatest gift to humankind. Ironically, it is also an extremely stressful time for pastors and their families… read more

With uncommon clarity, the Episcopal rector listened to the complaints from the leaders of the children's Christian education program. They were frustrated with curriculum that… read more

Where did we ever get the notion that certain people—created out of the same substance as the rest of us—could be considered “undesirable” in the church?… read more

Every weekend is Pentecost at Parkrose United Methodist Church. When you pass by our doors, you may wonder, “Who are these people?” At times you will hear the… read more

Recently my wife and I joined some friends to try out a new restaurant in our town. Within minutes of being seated I began my usual verbal assessment of the staff, the atmosphere, … read more

pri m∙i∙tive primary, as distinguished from secondary. original. elemental. It came like a lightening bolt. News of our colleague's apparent suicide left us limp… read more

"We shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings shape us.” These words of Winston Churchill continue to teach by example as we enter public buildings, churches, and… read more