Category Archives: congregational life

Birds Named More and Better

Posted on January 1, 2008 by jbennett

Maybe it’s just my imagination, but I think I heard more voices than ever this year suggesting that we consider toning down the cultural excesses of Christmas gift-giving.  We’ve certainly not eliminated gift-giving in my world of family and friends, but … Continue reading →

Posted in bible, Christian Education, congregational life, discipleship, liturgical seasons, Sunday school, Uncategorized, world view | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Birds Named More and Better

What’s in a name?

Posted on December 24, 2007 by igalindo

A few weeks ago, during a visit to a local church, a deacon at that church cornered me and asked me one of those questions you know immediately is “loaded.” Loaded questions are tricky to respond to honestly given that … Continue reading →

Posted in congregational life, humor | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Book review: Bass, Christianity for the Rest of Us

Posted on December 4, 2007 by igalindo

“The most important book of the decade about emerging Christianity and the renewal of mainline congregations.” “This book is so full of good news that I keep it next to my Bible.” Without denying the positive contribution and “good news” … Continue reading →

Posted in books, congregational life | 1 Comment

Coming into the Life of the Body

Posted on November 20, 2007 by jbennett

In many ways my native language has always been dance.  I moved stories before I told them in words, heard music most clearly when it flowed through my body and out again into the waiting space.  In secret my deepest prayers … Continue reading →

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Higher Ground

Posted on November 5, 2007 by jbennett

Although I no longer serve as pastor of a congregation, invitations to preach come my way from time to time.  The latest instance was yesterday when I helped a Presbyterian congregation surprise their pastor with the opportunity to worship among … Continue reading →

Posted in bible, Christian Education, congregational life, sermons, Sunday school, teaching, Uncategorized, vocation, worship | Comments Off on Higher Ground

Educating Nomads

Posted on October 8, 2007 by jbennett

One of those “Aha!” moments came to me twenty-some years ago while staring at the blank computer screen where Sunday’s sermon should have been making its appearance.  Unfortunately, my thoughts were elsewhere; I had been dealing with the parent of … Continue reading →

Posted in children, Christian Education, congregational life, discipleship, leadership, Sunday school, worship | Comments Off on Educating Nomads

Second Generation

Posted on September 24, 2007 by jbennett

Evangelical activist for social justice Ron Sider wrote his book The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience: Why Are Christians Living Just Like the Rest of the World? a couple of years ago. In the July/August issue of Books & Culture: … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Christian Education, congregational life | 1 Comment

Keeping the Books

Posted on September 6, 2007 by GregR

I was in High School when I first heard about businesses keeping “two sets of books”. My father was a manufacturer’s representative, and he dealt with small, medium, and large sized companies. Almost all of them, he told me, kept … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Education, congregational life, discipleship | 1 Comment

When is a church not a congregation?

Posted on August 31, 2007 by igalindo

A statement that many find challenging is one that says, “a congregation, while a legitimate expression of church, is not equivalent to it.” (see The Hidden Lives of Congregations) So, here’s a riddle: When is a congregation not a church? … Continue reading →

Posted in congregational life, theology | Comments Off on When is a church not a congregation?

Welcoming the Stranger

Posted on August 23, 2007 by mcanaday

Can you recall a recent time in your life when you felt out of place or lost in a particular environment? We all have experienced this feeling in our lives. Perhaps, the last time you began a new job you … Continue reading →

Posted in congregational life, Uncategorized | 3 Comments