“Do not speak harshly to an older man, but speak to him as to a father, to younger men as brothers, to older women as mothers, to younger women as sisters—with absolute purity.” 1 Timothy 5:1-2, NRSVUE This year, at Mantua Creek, we’re going through the pastoral epistles and Philemon. Last week my study of the text above was so surprisingly … Read More
What Jesus Wants in 2021, Part 2 of 4
“Loves first act is to listen.” Theologian Paul Tillich In considering the story of Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet in Luke 10:38-42, our first of three points is that Mary listened. This might seem like something too simple to mention, but, honestly, given the racial and political division we’ve seen over the past year, I can’t think of anything more … Read More
Recovering the Lost Art of Civility
Believe it or not, my biggest challenge in my role as Executive Director of Church Outreach and Engagement at Care Net is to de-link pro-life efforts from politics. If I can’t do that, I can’t gain a hearing among those who most need to hear my message about how to offer compassion, hope, help, and discipleship to the abortion-vulnerable. Sadly, … Read More