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Progressive Christian

2019-01-11T12:40:09-05:00

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.

Is There One Righteous Bishop in The United Methodist Church?

Last updated on: January 11, 2019 at 12:40 pm By Christy Thomas

Is there one righteous Bishop in The United Methodist Church? This would be akin to Abraham asking if there were 50 righteous men in Sodom. I am just asking for one. I ask for just one righteous Bishop to stand up and say, This is wrong. All of our colleagues who are in covenant relationship with us as Bishops have just lost their guaranteed appointments, while I am a Bishop for life with a great salary and nice retirement and... Read more

The United Methodist Church

2019-01-11T12:37:57-05:00

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.

Questions of Sexuality and Righteousness

Last updated on: January 11, 2019 at 12:37 pm By Christy Thomas

First, if you do nothing else, read this blog by Dan Dick. It is a passionate and eloquent call to discipleship, not this watered-down stuff that can be measured on public shaming boards (i.e., electronic dashboards that will measure nickels and noses). Second, after getting some interesting responses to this post about biblical ignorance and the delegates to General Conference, a few more thoughts popped up today. I ask: those who adamantly oppose full inclusion of our GLBT brothers and... Read more

2019-01-11T13:41:34-05:00

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.

Biblical Ignorance and the Delegates to General Conference

Last updated on: January 11, 2019 at 1:41 pm By Christy Thomas

I have been reading blog after blog about what is happening at General Conference 2012, taking particular interest in the ones that supported the now-dead legislation that would take language out of the Book of Discipline that condemns homosexual practices. I have numerous thoughts here. The thing that hits me the hardest here is the utter biblical ignorance that is being expressed by those who oppose the full inclusion of our GLBT brothers and sisters into the life of the... Read more

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2019-01-11T12:44:38-05:00

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 Church as Jazz Band

Last updated on: January 11, 2019 at 12:44 pm By Christy Thomas

“My bags are packed, I’m ready to go . . .” People of a certain age may recognize this song, “Leavin’ on a Jet Plane”—and the mixed joy and sorrow it brings. Yes, I’m leaving—and on a jet plane, but just for three months. This is a long-planned Sabbatical which is intended to give me rest with time to heal, write and pray, plus spend time with my very scattered family whom I rarely get to see. Today was my... Read more

2012-04-27T11:42:59-05:00

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.

Thursday: A Day of Contrasts

Last updated on: April 27, 2012 at 11:42 am By Christy Thomas

Early morning: fearful. Bleeding heavily. Should not be. Mid morning: relief: Yes, it was a huge tumor (baseball sized), and yes embedded in the wall of the uterus, but definitely contained and benign in nature and now I am forever free of it. Also relieving: I’ve torn a stitch, but have not (yet) put a hole where there should not be one. Mid morning: warned: I listened to stern words: activity level must decrease immediately and stay that way for... Read more

2012-04-25T09:23:25-05:00

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.

Getting Free

Last updated on: April 25, 2012 at 9:23 am By Christy Thomas

It has been a strange week. Still in brain fog most of the time from the anesthesia of surgery coupled with some fairly strong pain relievers, I found myself more physically still than I can ever remember. Time for the life of the mind with reflective thought delights me, but my best thinking seems to take place when my physical body is in action—walking, gardening, doing routine pedestrian but necessary tasks. Most of those activities had to be set down... Read more

escape from religious community

2012-04-17T20:53:57-05:00

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.

It Takes Time

Last updated on: April 17, 2012 at 8:53 pm By Christy Thomas

Last Friday, little robotic instruments nibbled their way through my abdomen, giving light, snipping and cauterizing while the physician manipulated them with 3D visual accuracy. Four puncture wounds and a couple of hours of highly skilled work later and all was done. Except for the healing. Yes, except for that one little fact: it still hurts and I must be careful. It would be easy to undo all that expert precision by a precipitous return to work—or to garden. Apparently,... Read more

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2012-04-09T19:57:40-05:00

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 Dialogue: Rational Brain vs Primitive Brain

Last updated on: April 9, 2012 at 7:57 pm By Christy Thomas

Dear Readers, Thanks for all the prayers and offer of help as I go into this health journey. Below is a peek into the recesses of my brain. Keep in mind that the Rational Brain (RB) is fully aware of the grace and love of God. The Primitive Brain (PB) still awaits full redemption! RB, “Isn’t modern medicine wonderful? I’m in the hands of caring, skilled medical personnel who will competently walk me through this.” PB, “Run! Fast!” RB, “It... Read more

2012-04-05T20:48:53-05:00

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.

Thirteen Around the Circle

Last updated on: April 5, 2012 at 8:48 pm By Christy Thomas

For Maundy Thursday, I invited those who were interested to do a “reader’s theater” session using a chapter from Dorothy Sayers’ classic play, The Man Born to be King. This play, the story of the life of Jesus, was aired in serial form over BBC radio during WWII in Great Britain and captured the heart of that entire country during those dark days. The particular chapter we read took us through the last supper, through the betrayal by Judas and... Read more

2012-04-05T18:13:40-05:00

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.

Arrest Him!

Last updated on: April 5, 2012 at 6:13 pm By Christy Thomas

Last night at our Midweek Miracle program for children and youth, I invited them to act out parts of the passion week story as I told it to them again. Several of the older youth “arrest” Jesus while the high priests stand off to the side, nodding with approval. Although the children occasionally mugged a bit for the audience, the prevailing mood was somber and serious. This was no laughing matter. The Jesus they talk about frequently had just been... Read more

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