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Progressive Christian

2012-12-16T20:37:06-05:00

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.

From Barren to Baby, Hope After Tragedy

Last updated on: December 16, 2012 at 8:37 pm By Christy Thomas

As did many clergy, I faced a dilemma with this Sunday’s message after the events of Friday’s massacre of children. For Advent this year, I had decided to do a series I called “From Barren to Baby” and speak of some of Jesus’ ancestors, particularly those whose stories started with the barren woman scenario. I learned long ago that when a passage in the Bible begins to speak of a woman unable to have children, it is code for, “Pay... Read more

tragedy in Newtown Connecticut

2012-12-14T13:18:20-05:00

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.

Murder of the Innocents

Last updated on: December 14, 2012 at 1:18 pm By Christy Thomas

Who is not just sick, as well as outraged, by the murder of the innocents in Connecticut? Who? Why? How could he or they? What kind of evil and demons drive such an action? Yes, what kind of evil? There is no way to whitewash this. The murder of innocents is evil. It happened after Jesus’ birth–and I often struggle with the fact that many mothers, fathers and babies in Bethlehem suffered horrendously because they had the bad luck to... Read more

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innocents

Connecticut school shooting

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mental illness

murder of the Innocents

2012-12-14T11:54:25-05:00

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.

A Normal Day Interrupted by a Divine Appointment?

Last updated on: December 14, 2012 at 11:54 am By Christy Thomas

I woke yesterday with a sense of work-urgency informing my plans for the day. It was the first day I had any real schedule freedom to do intensive work on the many messages that need to be prepared and delivered in the next 12 days. My Director of Worship and I have been working on the services for several weeks. Initial concepts have been examined and modified, perfected, so to speak. Music pieces discussed, musicians recruited, especially for the 11:00... Read more

does the world need a savior

pastoral life

2012-12-11T18:55:04-05:00

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.

Christmas Advice Column, Issue Two

Last updated on: December 11, 2012 at 6:55 pm By Christy Thomas

Dear Friendly, Was Jesus really born on December 25th? All these songs about snow and cold and shepherds sleeping outside in the fields in icy winter don’t make sense to me. Signed, Not So Sure About This. Dear Not So Sure, I was just a child when I heard some radio preacher say that Jesus was probably not born on December 25. I thought the floor had just been yanked from me. How dare that person question what surely is... Read more

2012-12-10T10:02:21-05:00

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.

Cold and Comfort, Disquiet at the Disparity

Last updated on: December 10, 2012 at 10:02 am By Christy Thomas

It’s one of those days where I realize just how fortunate I am. The wind is pretty wild here in Krum and the temperature dropped well into the freezing range overnight. It’s projected to be bitterly cold here tonight. I personally welcome the cold weather. I sleep better, and also appreciate the necessity of extended cold for the sake of yard and garden. I am also not poor. I live in a reasonably well-insulated house with a good heating system,... Read more

2012-12-08T12:25:06-05:00

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.

Local Shopping, Personal Service, the Power of Connection, and the Art of Discipleship

Last updated on: December 8, 2012 at 12:25 pm By Christy Thomas

A few weeks ago, in a need to do something that I could start and finish, I cleaned the stove. When I took off the light cover from the stove vent hood so I could wash it, it promptly broke. “No problem,” I thought. “I’ll just get another one.” Placing the broken on in the car, I decided that the next time I was near one of the large, big-box, home improvements stores, I would get a replacement. A few... Read more

church growth techniques

discipleship

2012-12-08T10:21:07-05:00

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.

More on the Confusion Between Santa and God

Last updated on: December 8, 2012 at 10:21 am By Christy Thomas

This letter appeared in the “Dear Abby” advice column that was in the newspaper on December 8, 2012: DEAR ABBY: Last night I received a call from my almost-5-year-old granddaughter asking me for Santa Claus’ phone number. It seems she is very angry at her daddy for calling her a brat because she wouldn’t give him a hug. She wants to tattle on her daddy to Santa. Her parents are not together. Her daddy’s involvement has been only within the... Read more

Santa with cookies and milk

2012-12-05T22:47:54-05:00

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.

The Phone Call and the Novena

Last updated on: December 5, 2012 at 10:47 pm By Christy Thomas

A dear friend of mine phoned earlier this evening. She refers to herself as my “spiritual mother” and I very much believe it. She’s in her late 80’s, and is simply beautiful. I describe her as a piece of pure light wrapped in a tiny piece of increasingly frail human flesh. We connected about a year and a half ago. She had been reading my newspaper columns in the Denton Record Chronicle and phoned to talk with me and see if... Read more

2012-12-04T15:42:51-05:00

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.

The Consumer-Driven Church Model, Part Three

Last updated on: December 4, 2012 at 3:42 pm By Christy Thomas

Note: this is part three of a three part series. Part One is here; Part Two is here. Three Things to Keep in Mind First: not all growth is good growth. When effectiveness is measured only by numerical growth, we make the fatal mistake of assuming that just because something grows rapidly, it is doing so under the blessing of God. All gardeners and physicians know this: rapid growth doesn’t necessarily mean good, healthy or desired growth. Second: the process... Read more

consumer church model

customers

disciples of jesus christ

General Conference

The United Methodist Church

2012-12-04T15:42:16-05:00

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.

The Consumer-Driven Church Model, Part Two

Last updated on: December 4, 2012 at 3:42 pm By Christy Thomas

Note: this is the second of a three-part series. Part one is here; part three is here. The Church is In Crisis I suspect everyone agrees that The United Methodist Church, as a world-wide organization, is in crisis. Our membership grows older and the death tsunami looms. Few churches see a vital future. People in the US church, who have been the principle financial support of the worldwide church, are moving away from denominational religious structures. The crisis leads to... Read more

consumer church model

customers

disciples of jesus christ

General Conference

The United Methodist Church

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