Apolitical Evangelicalism: Christian Nationalism’s Subtle Collaborator

If we’re looking for the theological and ecclesial source of the Capitol Insurrection last year, we must look further than Christian Nationalism. We need to look at Apolitical Evangelicalism embodied in the Church Growth Movement of the 80’s and 90’s.  Many of us were connected in some way to the Church Growth Movement that was …

A Second Baptism of Rain and Tears

I’ve been getting up each morning before the kiddos wake up to finally spend extended time writing and reflecting on my Camino de Santiago pilgrimage last year. It’s been wonderful. Here is a story of one of the most sacred moments I experienced; a second baptism of rain and tears.————————– As the fork in the road …

On American Exceptionalism…

This past Sunday, Vice President Pence was invited to speak at First Baptist Church in Dallas for the “Celebrate Freedom Rally” at their Sunday morning services. Pastor Robert Jeffress called the event, “Our annual patriotic service” in which the church celebrates “God’s unique blessings on our country.”  While some may celebrate this display as faithful …

A Liturgy of Dissonance in the Times of COVID-19

As a global family physically distant – yet interdependent – Lord, hear our prayer… We feel the growing dissonance between practicing the social responsibility of distance and the kingdom (kin-dom) value of proximity. “Stay away to keep us all safe!” “Please come close, we have no ‘home’ to go back to!” Which is it? Is …

What I’ll Tell Our Kids About War

As I write this, violence (and rhetoric) is quickly escalating between the United States and Iran (and those caught in their midst). My heart is deeply grieved at what this means for the world, our neighbors and our children. The impact of war is far reaching and I still hold out hope that a strategy …