Top 10 of 2019

As this year draws to a close, here is a rundown of the 10 most-read Mosaic articles from the last 12 months. As managing editor, I’m incredibly grateful for the 60 contributors whom I had the privilege of working with this year, who gave of their time and energy to write a grand total of 235 articles to share in this space. Thanks to all of you who enrich the conversations on this blog by writing, reading, commenting, and sharing!

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10. Why Do Christians Segregate on Sunday Mornings?

James L. Gorman

“We segregate because of the sin of racism. This problem we inherited is rooted in more than 400 years of history that has powerfully shaped all our communities and all our national and ecclesial institutions.”

9. Back from Death: A New England Church’s Story of Revitalization

Gareth D. Flanary

“Despite the tenuous situation, however, there has been a rise in hope, fueling creativity and putting the church on a path to revitalization.”

8. The Path Less Traveled: Families, Autism, and the Church Today

Jennifer Allen

“For families like mine, it doesn’t take a study to know about the barriers preventing children with disabilities (and their families) from participating in worship. What are these barriers, and how can the church accommodate?”

7. Welcome to “Reading with Randy”

Randy Harris

“As a preacher and an undergraduate teacher, I've always thought that reading widely is one of the very best forms of preparation…. So come along with me, and let's discover 100 excellent reads from the 21st century.”

6. Preachers, It’s Not about You (But It Kind of Is…)

Amy McLaughlin-Sheasby

“To declare that anyone can preach is to affirm the inherent power and liberation that emerges as we contemplate God…. And yet, it is problematic to move from ‘anyone can preach’ to ‘it doesn’t matter who is in the pulpit.’”

5. What Is Most Important?

Carson E. Reed

“These reasons for growth transcend simply being at the right place at the right time. In actuality, these factors are much more foundational than being next-door to a thousand new homes. Here is what I saw—which is what I see in most thriving congregations.”

4. For Elders Who Are Facilitating Gender Inclusion, Start Here

Amanda Box

“For so many Churches of Christ, the process of implementing gender inclusion is a brutal one. After the years of classes, studies, and prayer, after the hundreds of meetings, after talking with other churches, and after the scholars have gone home, elders are left with the question, ‘How are we going to do this?’”

3. On Getting Dressed

Kelly Edmiston

“The dichotomies present in one outfit feel suffocating. How is she supposed to look attractive but not too attractive, skinny but not too skinny, fashionable but not young, professional but not boring, and tidy but not expensive?”

2. Please Hear My Voice

Jennifer Schroeder

“Our faith tradition is one that has long struggled with the conversation of women’s roles. It is a conversation that has ranged from heavily uncomfortable to outright contentious. It is a conversation impacted by tradition, culture, and interpretation. And it is a conversation that undoubtedly sparks tremendous emotions.”

1. When Worship Leaders Stink

Sam Souder

“Ours is not a role of ‘forcing worship’ upon our people. It is merely prompting them out of the sheep pen and into a space where the kingdom of God does its transformative work within them. Our job is to merely open the gate and lead them into greener pastures.”