My Resources for Churches
(and everyone else!)
Every so often, I put out a “musing” that is a guide to my writings and videos. It’s that time when churches make plans for their program year, so this is a good moment to share links to my materials for worship, study, and spiritual practice. Use freely. All I ask is attribution!
My BOOKS on Amazon — Open Christianity (2000) – an introduction to progressive Christianity. Birdlike and Barnless (2008) – a progressive “book of common prayer” for use in churches. Hitchhiking to Alaska (2013) – the spirituality of service and social activism. SOULJOURN (2013) – a novel about religious diversity in America. Deeper Love: Faithful Rhetoric for Progressive Social Change (2016) – a handbook for activists and candidates. Mindful Christianity (2018) – how mindfulness is woven into the contemplative tradition of Christianity – a great resource for church prayer/study groups. Mindful Christianity – a video intro to my book . Coming soon: Tenderly Calling: An Invitation to the Way of Jesus – an introduction to the faith for beginners – great for confirmation and new member groups.
LITURGICAL RESOURCES:
Deeper Love – a song for communion – very timely for the election, etc –
Jim Burklo’s Book of Common Prayer – liturgical resources including invocations, benedictions, litanies, prayers, poetry, etc
SKITS – for worship – Against or Through? With or For? But or And?
RESOURCES FOR STUDY/PRAYER GROUPS:
Resistance Bible Study – a study series that would be ideal to run in the time between now and the November election. My short rendition on video of a mash-up of Wm Jennings Bryan speeches – he was a fundamentalist Christian who ran 3 times for the presidency as a progressive Democrat. A shorter study: Samaritan Care: Health Care in America
Contemplative Christian Practices – my series of 3 half-hour videos introducing the mystical tradition of the faith. Good for study/prayer groups. Each video introduces practices that take about 30-40 minutes, so devote an hour to each one – and add time for discussion, etc. Contemplatio – The Questions of Jesus – practices for study/prayer groups – Ten Ways to Meet God – more practices
Mindfulness Practice – five short videos that cover the basic content of the classes I teach at USC for Mindful.USC.edu – good for prayer/study groups: Mindfulness: an Introduction – Mindfulness of the Body – Mindfulness of Emotions – Mindfulness of Thoughts – Mindfulness and Compassion – Mindful Habits
How to Read the Bible– some basics for progressive Christians, good for study groups – related: Book of Nature, Book of Scripture – Sacred Myth of the Gospel – The Bible and Bob Marley
The Varieties of God – an outline of different understandings of God, within and beyond Christianity – a great conversation-starter in study groups
SPECIAL SUNDAYS, etc:
Fearless Sunday – 2nd Sunday in Sept (or any other Sunday) – a time for pastors and members of churches to “come out of the closet” about their real theological beliefs (or unbeliefs) – Questions to Ask Your Pastor on Fearless Sunday – What They REALLY Meant When They Signed That Statement of Faith
Election Day: Blessing the Hands That Cast Ballots – Voting Rituals – How to Be a VOTIVATOR (sharing with each other how we vote)
Christmas Poems by Jim Burklo
LENT: Mindful Christianity Practices – WORD JAZZ for Fat Tuesday and Lent
Tax Day: Blessing of the Taxes (in worship) – Prayer for Tax Day – Progressive Taxation and Christian Faith –
Pluralism Sunday (first Sun in May, or other Sunday of your choice) – celebrating in worship the religions of the world – and the principle that other religions may be as good for others as ours is for us! Religious Pluralism and the Bible – A Song for Pluralism Sunday – Seven Principles for Interfaith Engagement
St. Buddha’s Day (Aug 26 – or whatever day you choose to celebrate it) – Buddha was once accidentally canonized as a Christian saint… let’s revive that tradition as a way of celebrating religious pluralism, and of the striking parallels in the teachings of the Buddha and the Christ!
CHILDREN’S MESSAGES:
The Clay Bird (an interfaith message – Christian/Muslim)
For Sneeches, Both Starful and Starless – the Sermon on the Mount, Dr Seuss-style
Elephant Eggs – pure silliness! punch line: what you need is probably already here.
Of Seeds and Stardust – a poetic science-based creation story
Parable of the Parrot – short story about the heart of the gospel
The Tumbleweeds – a family of tumbleweeds rides with the wind (which blows where it wills…)
Breaking Free – a flower becomes a butterfly – and learns to appreciate flowers
PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIAN IDENTITY – “messaging” for progressive congregations:
SIGNAGE for progressive churches – “elevator speeches” – one-liners that set your church apart
QUESTIONS for “church shoppers” to ask – progressive churches’ answers are “yes” to all!
A SHORT HISTORY OF PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIANITY – good for new members groups, etc
THE FOUR SPIRITUAL AWES – a short “tract” that expresses the essence of progressive Christianity – print freely!
ABOUT MYSELF:
QUOTATIONS – my “one-liners” —
Blog: MUSINGS
JIM BURKLO
University of Southern California