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August 2020

August 27, 2020

What to Do When Parishioners Leave – Because of Politics

When parishioners leave because of "politics," it's not always a bad thing. Imagine the church...

August 05, 2020

6 Bible Texts for a Sermon on Racism & Why Your Church Needs to Hear It

So you want to preach a sermon on racism. Where to begin? Here are 6...

July 2020

July 28, 2020

#CloudOfClergy: The Many Ways Faith Leaders Show Up for Justice

The #CloudOfClergy is everywhere! Whether on the front lines, in communities, or houses of worship, their...

July 18, 2020

Clergy Speak Out About Abuses of Power in Portland

Clergy are responding to the abuses of power by law enforcement in Portland, Oregon. This...

July 04, 2020

Announcing: Clergy Emergency League! Resist, Reclaim, Renew

Announcing the official launch of the Clergy Emergency League (CEL)! We support and challenge clergy...

June 2020

June 28, 2020

What is a ‘Prophet’s Reward’? The Bad, The Ugly, and the Good

What did Jesus mean by the phrase, “a prophet’s reward”? Christians in America are learning...

June 07, 2020

Being Theological in a Political World

Being theological in a political world means standing up for justice because the Word of...

June 02, 2020

Trump Invades Church with Military Force. Christians Must Speak Out!

Trump invades church, violates separation of church and state. Christians must speak out!

June 02, 2020

Trump Has Crossed the Line: A Call for Pastors’ Emergency League 2020

Trump has crossed the line. How will people of faith respond to this blasphemy?

May 2020

May 18, 2020

Why You Should Watch the Festival of Homiletics Online

The theme of the Festival of Homiletics this year is "Preaching a New Earth: Climate...

May 04, 2020

10 Leadership Lessons from Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear

Here’s what I’ve learned about effective leadership from watching Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear – even...

February 2020

February 25, 2020

“Green” Black History Month: Spotlight on Rev. Dr. Gerald Durley

Rev. Dr. Gerald Durley, a veteran of both the Civil Rights Movement and the Climate...

January 2020

January 20, 2020

Is Your Dream Too Small? Or Too Big? A Rabbi, MLK, and a Revelation of Love

Following God’s call can be exhausting and depleting. Isaiah 49:1-7 shows us sometimes we dream...

January 08, 2020

Rapture Me This: 2 Books for Progressive Preaching about the Apocalypse

Is the Rapture upon us? Two books debunk apocalyptic fiction and equip the church for...

December 2019

December 31, 2019

The #1 Post That Never Should Have Been Written – Pastor Betty Rendón Deportation

My piece on Pastor Betty Rendón was the #1 post on Patheos for 2019. It...

December 08, 2019

The Unbearable Whiteness of Preaching

I am a white teacher of preaching who has been doing this work for almost...

June 2019

June 16, 2019

Fierce Lambs! Sermon for a Seminary Graduation

Jesus is sending out fierce lambs with a cross-shaped love to face the wolves. Lexington Theological Seminary...

May 2019

May 26, 2019

Pastor Betty Rendón is Slated for Deportation – Why This is Crossing a Line

The arrest and planned deportation of Pastor Betty Rendón is immoral and unmerciful. Whether you...

May 16, 2019

Trump’s ICE Targets Lutheran Minister, Betty Rendón

Betty Rendón, a Lutheran minister, was arrested along with her family when ICE agents raided...

April 2019

April 12, 2019

The Making of a Preacher by Marvin A. McMickle: Book Review

Marvin A. McMickle has gifted preachers with a volume that will serve both early-career ministers...

March 2019

March 21, 2019

Iraq War Sermon – 16 Years Later

It's been 16 years since the start of the Iraq War. For the record - some...

January 2019

January 27, 2019

What is ‘Good Preaching’? A Sermon about Sermons

What makes for 'good preaching'? This is a sermon about sermons, about what it means...

November 2018

November 11, 2018

The Widow’s Mite? No, MIGHT! – Justice, Power, and the Widow

It’s time to rethink the story about 'the widow’s mite' in Mark 12:41-44 and Luke...

November 07, 2018

How to be a Christian (and a Pastor) After the Midterm Elections

How are we supposed to be the church in a time like this? Here are...

November 03, 2018

It’s Time to Vote and THUNDER at the Polls: Rev. Dr. William Barber Visits Kentucky

If you are a person of faith, I remind you that it is your theological...

October 2018

October 18, 2018

Is Your Sermon In “The Purple Zone”? – Backstory Preaching Webinar

If you’re sensing the rising political tension in your church and wondering how to navigate...

June 2018

June 19, 2018

Is the Methodist Church Right to Condemn Jeff Sessions?

Hundreds of United Methodist clergy and church members signed a letter bringing church law charges against...

June 12, 2018

Cedar Trees and Mustard Seeds – The Bible’s Arboretum

Let's take a walk through the arboretum of the Bible. From cedar trees to mustard...

June 07, 2018

We Intend to Be Heard: Poor People’s Campaign Denied Access in Kentucky

June 4 marks the first time a Poor People's Campaign group was denied entrance into...

May 2018

May 10, 2018

Sisters EMERGING from the Wilderness: Women of Color Leading the Church

The election of two female African American bishops in the ELCA may be a turning...