Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Progressive Christian

2011-12-05T18:50:47-05:00

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.

Prepare The Way

Last updated on: December 5, 2011 at 6:50 pm By Christy Thomas

His voice cries out and says, “Get that road straight—the glory of the Lord is about to appear!” These words, loosely paraphrased, are from Isaiah 40, that beautiful passage that starts with, “Comfort, O comfort my people.” Several of the movements in Handel’s “Messiah” come from these great Scriptures. Rough and ready John the Baptist repeats this phrase hundreds of years later just as Jesus is getting ready to step into the public eye of ministry. John tells people to... Read more

2011-12-01T11:55:59-05:00

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.

On Closing Churches

Last updated on: December 1, 2011 at 11:55 am By Christy Thomas

I just heard yesterday about a church plant needing to close, 22 months after its founding. It was such sad news. I know the pastor, a man of considerable talent who had poured everything he had into the project. It also reinforces for me just how very, very difficult the work of the church is, especially as our culture moves more and more into fragmented niches leaving behind any common ethos, particularly an ethos that supports the gathering together for... Read more

2011-11-29T17:34:33-05:00

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.

God With Us? Are You Sure?

Last updated on: November 29, 2011 at 5:34 pm By Christy Thomas

I am convinced that, despite what I am sure will be countless calls to “Put Christ back into Christmas!” and other such yearly holiday pleas, most people really have no desire for God to actually show up during this season. We sing, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” With these words, we call for God to be with us. The tune touches us, the words sound good. But I wonder—yes I wonder. I wonder if we know what we are asking for... Read more

put Christ back into Christmas

2011-11-28T18:12:19-05:00

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.

On the Appointive Process . . .

Last updated on: November 28, 2011 at 6:12 pm By Christy Thomas

Tonight, my Staff-Parish Relations Committee meets to compile all their comments on me for the latest and greatest evaluative instrument rolled out by the Conference. They’ve also got to do another form called the Charge Profile where they are asked, among other things, to respond to this statement: “The qualities and functions of pastoral ministry needed to fulfill the mission and goals of the congregation.” Wanting to help them out a bit with these onerous tasks, and knowing my very... Read more

Christianity

religion

appointive process

appointment of clergy

the perfect pastor

UMC

2011-11-28T11:32:27-05:00

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 Moment of Irony

Last updated on: November 28, 2011 at 11:32 am By Christy Thomas

In a moment of irony, right after I first published this post about churches shrinking when actually preaching the gospel, I received an email inviting me to a conference called The Large Church Initiative. Here is a list of the keynote speakers, many of whom I know personally and have much respect for their accomplishments and leadership skills. Now, I should not have received that invitation–it is a conference only for those who serve churches with 1000 or more members and 350 in worship... Read more

Christianity

religion

Large Church Initiative

UMC

2011-11-28T11:14:33-05:00

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.

The Shrinking Church

Last updated on: November 28, 2011 at 11:14 am By Christy Thomas

So, here’s a good article to start the thinking process for pastors on Monday mornings–the day when many clergy, at least mentally, write their resignation letters. The author, Tim Suttle, is himself a pastor of what was once a rapidly growing church, but is now a shrinking church. What happened? He moved from a “what would make the people feel good,” highly pragmatic leadership and preaching style to one where he decided he needed to actually preach the gospel. He... Read more

Christianity

religion

clergy resignation letters

preaching the gospel

Revival

the shrinking church

2011-11-22T11:06:11-05:00

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.

This Time of the Year

Last updated on: November 22, 2011 at 11:06 am By Christy Thomas

Always at this time of the year, I find myself both looking forward to and dreading Christmas. I look forward to the music, to the lights and decorations. They remind me of angelic hosts announcing good news that God enters fully into human experience. I delight in the extra generosity that encourages us to look out for others especially at this time of the year. I am grateful for the parties and those who go to the trouble to host... Read more

2011-11-15T12:24:30-05:00

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 Cost of Silence

Last updated on: November 15, 2011 at 12:24 pm By Christy Thomas

I can hardly add more to the sadly unfolding mess at Penn State where witnessed and horrific child abuse apparently committed by Jerry Sandusky, former Assistant Coach and well known founder of The Second Mile charity, is just now coming to light. Lots of fingers are rightly being pointed at those who knew at least something about this and chose silence rather than decisive action. Silence at the very least means complicity—and goodness knows how many young lives have been... Read more

Uncategorized

2011-11-10T10:33:09-05:00

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.

Out In the Open

Last updated on: November 10, 2011 at 10:33 am By Christy Thomas

I’m just now doing some extensive reading on the Penn State/Sandusky/Paterno/good old boy scandal. And I’m really trying not to throw up after I read one of the more graphic reports about what Sandusky did to a young boy in the shower room. We are all asking, “why?” of course. Or at least, all people with any moral compass as asking that. Here’s a quote from a NY Times article from a rioting student at Penn State: “We got... Read more

religion

Jerry Sandusky

Penn State scandal

2011-11-09T11:14:35-05:00

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.

On Methods and Methodists

Last updated on: November 9, 2011 at 11:14 am By Christy Thomas

This past week, an irate reader of mine asked, “Why don’t you go after your own denomination?” I could answer, “It is too easy a target,” but that would be flippant and unkind. So where should I begin . . . Perhaps at the beginning. The denomination’s main name “Methodist” started as an 18th century version of the religious world’s “put-down.” John Wesley, founder of what is now The United Methodist Church, was an Anglican Clergyman. The Church of England... Read more

Christianity

religion

history of Methodism

How is it with your soul?

John Wesley

united methodist church

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What was the name of the disciple who replaced Judas Iscariot?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Matthias Timothy Silas Barnabas

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category " obedience abortion accommodation accountability administration adolescence Advent advice an ordinary death anxiety apology apportionments Ash Wednesday ask thoughtfulpastor baptism betrayal Bible bondage calling certainty change character charity children Christianity Christmas church church as garden clergy clergy credentials closure comfort compassion competition compromise Confirmation conservation conservative conspiracy theories consumer conversion coronavirua corruption courage covenant cultural context death Deconstruction discipleship discord divorce doctrine doing good drugs dysfunctional Easter Easter; Resurrection education election entertainment envy escape evaluation evil exclusive church exercise faith faithfulness family fasting fear feast featured film review finances first world problem food forgiveness fundamentalist garden gay marriage General Conference generosity giving thanks GLBT glory good government grace guilt habit happy harmony hateful acts healing health health care heaven hell hello/goodbye heresy hidden agenda holiness homelessness homosexuality humility hymn hypocrisy Imago Dei In training inclusive church indulgence injustice innocents insurance intolerance itinerancy joy Justice kindness Kingdom of Heave kingdom of heaven language laughter laundry lawsuit leadership Lent LGBTQ liberal life Little Things Matter longform meandering thoughts memories mercy metaphor metrics miracle misfortunes morality Mormon Muslim mystery worship natural disasters New Category Name nutrients older adults oppression pain Paleo paperwork partnered pastor peace pension pharmaceutical placebo politics poverty prayer privilege public schools questions quiet racism rain reason reconciliation religion repentance requirements rescue respect rest resurrection retirement Sabbath sacrament sacred salvation same-sex marriage sanctuary schism schooling science SCOTUS secrecy separation of church and state sexism sexuality short cuts silence sin sleep soil spiritual journey stillness suffering surgery sustainable church teacher technology thank you theology therapy thinking tolerance TOS trust truth Uncategorized welcome Why Easter? wisdom women worship

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 December 2025 October 2025 September 2025 July 2025 June 2025 March 2025 February 2025 December 2024 November 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 April 2024 March 2024 January 2024 December 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 October 2022 September 2022 July 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 October 2021 July 2021 June 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 January 2020 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 July 2007 March 2007

TRENDING AT PATHEOS Progressive Christian