From my experience, resistance to gender inclusion was far more about fear, conflict, and change than anything else.
“Consider the Lobster” by David Foster Wallace
The title essay is about, well, eating lobster and the practice of boiling them alive. Wherever you come out on the practice, the essay is thought-provoking. (Nonfiction)
Thankful for Tornadoes
There is no doubt in my mind that everything done that day was a reflection of God pushing us out of fear and into productivity and resilience.
Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly
To operate under the assumption that we all encounter injustice in the same way diminishes the strength that comes when we purposefully stand up for each other.
“A Box of Matches” by Nicholson Baker
Our intrepid narrator is Emmett, and there is nothing special about him at all. What makes Emmett such wonderful company is that he is delighted with the world. (Fiction)
Donald Trump and the Dark Side of Leadership
I suspect that Donald Trump has figured out that as a leader, whether he is nice or crude, he will be criticized.
Developing Community
We do not see individualized, compartmentalized faith modeled in the New Testament.
“Far from the Tree” by Andrew Solomon
For those of us in ministry this book is a constant challenge to seek the image and likeness of God in those places and people where it may not be so evident on the surface. (Nonfiction)
What Is Most Important?
These reasons for growth transcend simply being at the right place at the right time.
Dying to Live
To be a good minister—a good shepherd faithfully following the Good Shepherd—sometimes you have to order the “death” of something you love.
“Beartown” by Fredrik Backman
This book is actually about many things and it is a good old-fashioned plot-driven, character-rich novel. (Fiction)
Not My Circus
What do we leaders do when it IS our circus—all three rings of it?
We Are Not Alone
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. But not when it comes to God.
“Vietnam” by Max Hastings
I never really understood the war then or later, so reading this book was, for me, a way to reckon with a history that never made sense to me. (Nonfiction)
Rats Don’t Wear Boots
It seems like the adage of pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps is still thriving. The rats, however, have a different opinion.
When the Right Church and the Right Minister Find Each Other, Everybody Wins
You might say that we run a dating service for ministers and churches; we highlight for a church someone they may wish to call.
Apathetic Apophatics Washing Dishes
I fear we’ve used our friend Brother Lawrence to excuse our apathetic prayer lives, assigning him words he never said.
“Everything Is Illuminated” by Jonathan Safran Foer
Ultimately, I think the book is about memory, language, and what Alex calls “common decencies.” (Fiction)
Opportunity at the Gate
Jesus’s parables catch me off guard, causing me to question whether my assumptions about myself, God, and the kingdom are grounded in truth.
A Most Complex Hug
While many feel inspired by this embodiment of love and forgiveness, others believe you cannot hug away decades of racism and police brutality.