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Progressive Christian

Challenging the Church

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October 2026

October 12, 2026

Lead a Church Study of “Jesus and Lao Tzu: The Way of Love”

Guest writer Jack Thomas (The Irreverent Reverend) reflects on leading his church through a study...

October 05, 2026

“Can You Follow Jesus and Still Practice Smudging?”

A chaplain’s question about Indigenous Christians opens a conversation about grace, spiritual authority, and who...

August 2026

August 17, 2026

The Guest Who Stayed at an Unfriendly Table

Feeling like an unwelcome guest? Jesus models how to be a gracious guest, even at...

August 10, 2026

When Being a Good Guest Is Better than Hospitality

Hospitality is a Christian virtue. We should be good hosts—but what if it’s more important...

July 2026

July 06, 2026

Is God Violent? Rethinking the Bible’s Bloodiest Passages

Violence and religion have a long and tangled history. Is it just people who are...

June 2026

June 15, 2026

Why the Rainbow Became a Pride Symbol

The rainbow did not become a Pride symbol because queer people stole it. It became...

May 2026

May 18, 2026

6 Lessons I Learned from a Thief

A dying thief teaches a living faith: grace needs no magic prayer, perfect theology, or...

May 11, 2026

Refusing to Bow to Trump’s Golden Idol

Donald Trump understands one thing better than many pastors: religious imagery works. Not theology. Not...

May 03, 2026

Renaming God: If God Is Love, Then Is Love God?

The Bible says God is love. But when everyone claims to act in love, how...

April 2026

April 06, 2026

What are the Pitfalls of Part-Time Ministry?

There’s nothing wrong with bivocational ministry, but it does come with a few pitfalls. In...

March 2026

March 30, 2026

Called to Be a Pastor? Consider Bivocational Ministry

Most who feel called to ministry dream of big churches. But have you considered the...

March 23, 2026

6 Things MAGA Christians Should Love (But Somehow Don’t)

The Bible offers a “top 6 list” of things MAGA Christians should embrace if they...

February 2026

February 16, 2026

Seeing Both Sides: Jesus, Sinners, and Modern Blind Spots

Many worship a Jesus who forgives personal sin. Others follow a Jesus who fixes systemic...

February 02, 2026

Ananias Shows How Not to Turn Cold in This ICE Age

Maybe you hate ICE agents. But is nurturing that hate good for your soul? How...

January 2026

January 26, 2026

MAGA Churchgoers – Please Convert to Christ

MAGA churchgoers—please read the conversion of Paul in light of immigration raids. Could it be...

January 21, 2026

The Lie Behind “When God Looks at You, He Sees Jesus”

The church said God loves me because I’m “in Christ,” and when God looks at...

January 06, 2026

Renaming God: Why “The Course” May Save Your Faith

If the name “God” has been used to harm or abuse, try “The Course”—a Path...

December 2025

December 15, 2025

Jesus & Lao Tzu: The Way of Love Vs. Violence

This week reminds us how quickly physical and verbal violence can rule headlines and hearts....

November 2025

November 03, 2025

Moral Injury & ICE: When Doing Your Job Breaks Your Soul

As we protest ICE activity, let's remember agents' humanity and the moral injury some suffer....

September 2025

September 15, 2025

Political Violence: Lower the Temperature & Speak Truth, Too

Once again, political violence has people at odds. Here’s how you can lower the temperature...

September 02, 2025

Ending Church Conflict: 5 Loaves, 2 Fish, 1 Pouting Pastor

The food pantry was my project, my baby. I started it—but they took it over....

August 2025

August 25, 2025

Overdose Awareness: We are One Big Family

Has an overdose touched your community or someone you love? Overdose Awareness Day ends the...

August 18, 2025

I’m in the Lord’s Army: The AWANA Atrocity

“I may never march in the infantry, ride in the cavalry, shoot the artillery…but I’m...

July 2025

July 28, 2025

Can Christians Rename God as “The Universe” and as “Nature”?

These days, you hear many people substitute the word “God” with “The Universe” or “Nature.”...

June 2025

June 30, 2025

Does Trump’s Foul Language Effing Matter?

Trump made headlines with an F-bomb in response to Israel-Iran strikes. Some clutched pearls—but does...

May 2025

May 19, 2025

Is Your Witness Working? How Does God Measure Effectiveness?

Are there measurable outcomes as you live out your faith and share it with others?...

May 12, 2025

Loving God & Country vs. Christian Nationalism

Recently, I buried my father, a Christian patriot who understood the difference between loving God...

April 2025

April 23, 2025

Take Our Children to Work Day: Bad for Pastor’s Kids

April 24th is National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. That’s fine for...

April 14, 2025

Renaming God: Light and Life Beyond the Old Language

"I don't believe in God," she said. "But I do believe in Life with a...

April 03, 2025

When Angels Smoke Snipes and Smell Like Beer

Not all angels have wings. Sometimes God’s messengers smoke snipes, smell like beer, and sleep...