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Progressive Christian

2015-11-09T13:57:47-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

To Trust in The Lord

Last updated on: November 9, 2015 at 1:57 pm By Christy Thomas

Most of us can agree on major goals. For the church, it is “Love God with all your heart, mind, strength and soul and love your neighbor as yourself” and “Make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world” and “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” We can rally around those things with unity and purpose. BUT . . . the moment we seek to determine the details in the “how” of doing those acts of... Read more

The Book of Disicpline

UMC

UMC schism

2018-03-13T14:50:02-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Observations About Worship From a "Professional Church Worshiper"

Last updated on: March 13, 2018 at 2:50 pm By Christy Thomas

My primary observations about worship: If you are a pastor and are reading this, do not ever shortchange your congregation in the message. They deserve the very best research, clarity of thought, illustrations that connect the temporal with the eternal for today’s audience, and practiced delivery. If you as a pastor dislike preaching or choose not to give that time adequate preparation, then find another profession. I attend church these days as a simple worshiper, no longer as a pastor in... Read more

Projection in worship

sermons

UMC

2016-09-24T13:13:33-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Ask the Thoughtful Pastor: Persecution of Jews and Description of Heaven

Last updated on: September 24, 2016 at 1:13 pm By Christy Thomas

Dear Thoughtful Pastor: Why don’t people like the Jews? Certainly in recent history (say the last 1,500 years) they have been persecuted more than any other group from what I can recall. Could it be the Jews set themselves up as an easily dehumanized target and the rest of the world took advantage? It is, of course, always easier to tear somebody down than to build yourself up. Dislike of the Jews started long before 500 of the Common... Read more

2016-09-09T13:23:15-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Ask the Thoughtful Pastor: Prosperity Gospel and The Consumer-Driven Church

Last updated on: September 9, 2016 at 1:23 pm By Christy Thomas

Dear Thoughtful Pastor: My family and I have broken free from a Prosperity Gospel Church.I’m curious why so many people: A) Don’t see Prosperity Gospel for what it is, a money making business? B) How society or media is not making a bigger deal on Prosperity Gospel pastors misusing the Word of God to make money off of people that are in a vulnerable state of mind during service? First, let me say, “Congratulations!” for getting out. The pull of... Read more

2016-09-09T13:24:12-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Ask the Thoughtful Pastor: Atonement and Salvation

Last updated on: September 9, 2016 at 1:24 pm By Christy Thomas

Two similar questions for the Thoughtful Pastor today from theologically deep thinkers. Dear Thoughtful Pastor: “What was the saving work that was accomplished on the cross? The Penal Substitutionary model seems inconsistent with my understanding of a loving God, as does the Ransom model. I struggle with how Jesus’ death ‘saves’ me, and would love to get your take on the atonement.” Dear Thoughtful Pastor: “How do I know I am saved? What, exactly is salvation?” Dear Theologically Deeps: You... Read more

2015-10-15T07:53:14-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

When Following the Rules Denies the Hope of Grace

Last updated on: October 15, 2015 at 7:53 am By Christy Thomas

Most of us know the story of the moving moment just after Pope Francis arrived in Philadelphia when he told the driver to stop his car. Francis opened the car door, walked over to a barrier and kissed a 10-year-old wheelchair bound boy. The boy, Michael Keating, has a twin brother, Chris, and a sister, Katie, two years older. This link goes to the larger story of Michael’s family and his adoptive parents, Kristin and Chuck, life-long and loyal Catholics. I... Read more

General Conference 2016

2015-10-14T09:12:24-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Ask the Thoughtful Pastor: Clergy Appreciation Month and Reluctant Communicant

Last updated on: October 14, 2015 at 9:12 am By Christy Thomas

Dear Thoughtful Pastor: As a pastor, I have come to dread “Pastor Appreciation Month,” because it quickly becomes “Pastor EVALUATION Month,” where people express their resentments. I’ve spent three decades doing this work that has swallowed me whole and left me and my family exhausted and lonely. I wish we had a month designated as, “Treat the Pastor Like a Human Being” month. What are your thoughts about the Pastor Appreciation season? ~Exhausted Dear Exhausted, When I was in... Read more

Clergy Appreciation Month

Clergy loneliness

holy communion

2015-10-09T09:09:04-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Russia, the Middle East, and Religious Political Rhetoric

Last updated on: October 9, 2015 at 9:09 am By Christy Thomas

Are you as confused as I am about the situation in the Middle East and the recent Russian involvement? Knowing some history about the Russian involvement there, which goes back deep into the Middle Ages, helps. This brief history of that involvement appeared today in the NY Times. I encourage you to read it if you can access it. Here’s a brief summary of the deep history: Russia’s ties to the region are rooted in its self-assigned role as the defender... Read more

politics and religion

POTUS

Russia

Syria

2015-10-08T14:56:12-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Just Sit Outside

Last updated on: October 8, 2015 at 2:56 pm By Christy Thomas

I just saw a great article on “The Nature Cure,” where a physician actually prescribes outside sitting time in local parks, no electronic devices allowed. We need this. We need to sit outside. We need to sit outside without headphones or ear buds. We need to let the serendipity of the less-controllable world of nature seep into our souls. We need to let breezes blow our hair. We need to let the rain hit our heads, the sunshine warm our... Read more

2015-10-07T09:32:50-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Ask the Thoughtful Pastor: "Deliberately Diluting God's Word" and First Class Women

Last updated on: October 7, 2015 at 9:32 am By Christy Thomas

Dear Thoughtful Pastor: We have several examples of the power of prayer and the direct influence it can have on our lives and the lives of those around us. Yet you, in a previous column, would discourage people from believing that prayer has any real power, and encourage them to think of prayer as little more than a way to “still and quiet” the mind. You are deliberately diluting God’s word and robbing prayer of its very real power... Read more

female-friendly churches

prayer

repentance

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