Service and Gathering Planning

Yes, there are always fires in California. But those fires are rarely in the middle of a city. We have never seen anything like this in modern times. There have been devastating urban fires in history like the Great Fire of London in 1666 or the Chicago fire of 1871.

Maybe, just maybe this parable has more to it than the Samaritan was good so we should be good in order to inherit eternal life. Because if anyone was saved in this story it was not the one who managed to do the right thing. The one who was actually saved in this parable was the one who couldn’t manage to do ANYTHING because he was half dead in a ditch.

A spiritual warrior takes care of his or her body and soul in order to be strong.  And a spiritual warrior knows what he or she stands for, refines it, and finds allies for the resistance.

Every story must have a beginning and an end. The better stories also have a cohering middle, theme, or context that holds their beginning and end together. The same holds true for a life story

In John 11:3, Lazarus is referred to as the one Jesus loves. In Greek, the word used here for ‘loves’ is phileis, but the word for ‘loved’ in verse 5, ‘Jesus loved Martha and her sister Mary and Lazarus,’ is egapa. Therefore, Jesus has a different kind of love for Lazarus on his own.

For years, I thought Christian ethics were based on the Ten Commandments or the Golden Rule. Most Christians feel the same. That presents a couple of huge problems.

One lesson learned during the pandemic was that we are all “essential workers.” We function as an integrated web of builders, truck drivers, doctors, painters, teachers, and librarians. Some will have more wealth than others, but no one should live in the fear of poverty or with the stigma that you are not important and essential to the functioning of society.

It started with Jesus. After his death, his inner circle of followers called the disciples, along with other followers, continued his extensive call to care for and love others. They were called to a ministry of service.

Attempting to cope with an ever-increasing flow and flood of information, knowledge, and data, we skim and scan, instead of deep reading and absorption. David Robson weaves numerous thoughtful and stimulating viewpoints from other noted experts combined with his timely insights into how our world was affected by the shift to a post-modernism society. This substantial work was written after years of research, study, and contemplation with the goal of stimulating each reader on their own path of spiritual awareness and personal growth.

My heart sank when I heard that John B. Cobb, Jr. died on December 26, 2024. I’m told that he died peacefully, surrounded by family. John was one of the greatest theologians of our time, and his influence upon me is immeasurable.

We must not forget the fighting spirit of Governors Newsom, Pritzker, Hochul and many others. All of this, I say, is a sign for hope. Although we may often feel alone and discouraged with what appears on the horizon, a new era may now be opening.

Today—and it seems like for forever—the geopolitical dynamics in Palestine/Israel/Gaza are complicated, mired in conflict about land, identity, and belonging. The West didn’t help. Christianity has not helped.

An important part of the work of ProgressiveChristianity.Org is to make sense of the teachings of Jesus for the modern world.  We present a vision of the Christian faith that is radically inclusive, with a focus on economic and social justice, as well as a commitment to resolve conflict with nonviolent means. That is our work—to present these values to the members of our churches and to anyone outside them willing to listen.

Have you ever noticed that organized religion has historically been a major force in the oppression of women? Have you ever wondered why? The battle over abortion being waged in America today, with the support of both the Vatican and the religious right, is simply the latest chapter in this perennial war.

“The lack of everlasting peace in the Holy Land is a deeply complex issue, rooted in a combination of historical, religious, cultural, political, and social factors.”

Strengthen your connection to God—a year of powerful devotions for men. Even in the busiest week, there’s always a moment to connect with God.

Christmas of 2024 is a time of prayers for peace and justice in the world at a time when international conflicts are highly volatile and American leaders are more concerned about their own wealth and power. There is always room for hope that some of the Scrooges will have Marley insights that lead to conversion—that even evangelical Christians will rediscover Jesus’s message that the best way to show dedication to God is by loving neighbors as ourselves.

I watched Giovanni's interview on iOne Digital wearing a T-shirt that said, "I write banned books." During the interview, she talked about getting old, finding joy, and, of course, banned books. I LOVED Nikki Giovanni long before I LOVED Toni Morrison. During the Black Arts and Black Panther eras, I grew up  listening and grooving to Giovanni's voice on scratchy vinyl albums as she read her poems.

This season of the return of Light (Solstice) and the miracle of Light (Hanukkah) and the announcement of angels of doxa or glory and the birth of Christ incarnated (Christmas) and birthing community based on principles that are light-filled (Kwanzaa) promises a certain enlightenment to humanity for sure. 

So, who is mostly responsible for electing Trump? White, churchgoing Americans. In spite of the fact that Trump violates everything Jesus stood for, including love, mercy, kindness, honesty, marital fidelity, compassion, character, decency, justice, humility, care for the sick, welcome of the stranger, and the list goes on and on.

Transformation ought to be an essential part of Christianity, but all too often, it isn't.  ProgressiveChristianity.org Co-Executive Director Rev. Dr. Caleb Lines discusses how we must embrace change to experience true transformation.

As Christmas comes, tradition reminds us of the cycles of seasons and history and the timeless nature of some stories. Advent is the perfect time to reflect on our 2020 podcast discussion with John Dominic Crossan about his book with the late Marcus Borg, “The First Christmas.” 

The story of Christmas has yet to end, and continues in the goodness and goodwill of our everyday lives. It may be that there are others such as he in different times and places, in distant galaxies or on the other side of earth, but for us, right here and right now, we are given a light, and a hope-certainty that loving-kindness is our truth and our destiny.

Each litany begins by telling the truth about a world that is all too barren of hope, peace, joy, and love. And then, after the candle has been lit, we cry out with all people of faith — past, present, and future — that God is, even now, coming into the world!

Braided Way has featured many essays and poems by John over the years. He is the author of a dozen books combining psychology, social change, and soul work. He joins us to talk about his newest book.

Transformation ought to be an essential part of Christianity, but all too often, it isn't.  ProgressiveChristianity.org Co-Executive Director Rev. Dr. Caleb Lines discusses how we must embrace change to experience true transformation.

Transformation ought to be an essential part of Christianity, but all too often, it isn't.  ProgressiveChristianity.org Co-Executive Director Rev. Dr. Caleb Lines discusses how we must embrace change to experience true transformation.

The ERA was approved by Congress in 1972 and reached its ratification requirement with Virginia in 2020. Indeed, in the opinion of the American Bar Association, “the ERA has satisfied all constitutional requirements to become the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.”

Welcome to the wondrous world of nature journaling as a spiritual practice. Here you will find the guidance you need to get started, plus many possibilities to explore as your journaling evolves. Perhaps you already keep a nature journal. Or perhaps you are curious about doing so. You may be a person of faith, or not. But if you have experienced awe standing in the hush of a first snowfall, viewing a colorful sunset, observing a wild creature, or gazing out to sea, you are ready to explore the spiritual side of nature journaling.

One of the first prayers Sister Jose ever taught me was the Prayer to the Four Directions. It offers an excellent way to begin each day within a healthy context—creation itself—the cosmos. It puts the cosmos as the setting for our lives, connecting the psyche to the cosmos, thus deepening the Self and not just the self.

Hymn text for an Advent sermon (Advent 2) in peace in a time of violence.

For African Americans, the disparities within the healthcare system contribute disproportionately to the high number of HIV/AIDS, directly affecting the quality of life and its spread.

Transformation ought to be an essential part of Christianity, but all too often, it isn't.  ProgressiveChristianity.org Co-Executive Director Rev. Dr. Caleb Lines discusses how we must embrace change to experience true transformation.

November began with the election of a leader blind with hatred and revenge who lacks concern for long-term consequences—and who expects his cabinet, Congress, and base of voters to blindly follow his demands. Therefore, Thanksgiving is a time for grief at what has already been lost and for even greater losses on the horizon; but grief must not over shadow the gratitude we should feel for the blessings from the vision and compassion of President Joe Biden.

The first Sunday in October was World Communion Sunday, except it didn’t include most of the people of the world, including the Roman Catholic church, the Eastern Orthodox church, the Episcopal church, and the Lutherans.

Join Mark and Caleb for this live recording as they enjoy a themed drink (or two) and bring their high-octane progressive Christian perspectives in consideration of the first of a two-part film adaptation of the long running stage musical of the same name, which was based on the novel by Gregory Maguire also of the same name - "Wicked" Part 1

Transformation ought to be an essential part of Christianity, but all too often, it isn't.  ProgressiveChristianity.org Co-Executive Director Rev. Dr. Caleb Lines discusses how we must embrace change to experience true transformation.

Two locally raised St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church of Brookings OR leaders were honored on October 30th with humanitarian awards.

I spent yesterday morning (November 6th) trying to understand the tragic loss of Kamala Harris’ bid for the Presidency. After a few hours and finding no one expressing my real concerns, I decided to write this article instead.

Join Mark and Caleb for this live recording as they enjoy a themed drink (or two) and bring their high-octane progressive Christian perspectives in consideration of a spin-off sequel to 2022's film "The Batman," HBO's "The Penguin."

It sounds unbelievable, but it’s true. The United States Constitution does not protect the people who make up half the U.S. population. Constitutional amendments rightly secure protections based on race, based on religion, based on ethnicity. But not gender.

In the gospel of John, there is a long conversation in the Temple in Jerusalem between Jesus and his Pharisee detractors (John 8: 12-59).  Long, because they spent so much time arguing about their initial assumptions.  It ended badly, with the Pharisees taking up stones to kill him.

Transformation ought to be an essential part of Christianity, but all too often, it isn't.  ProgressiveChristianity.org Co-Executive Director Rev. Dr. Caleb Lines discusses how we must embrace change to experience true transformation.

Set to the tune Dix ("For the Beauty of the Earth"), this hymn text approaches confession from a progressive Christian perspective in an attempt to focus more on human frailty and the ability to start again and less on self-flagellation or human depravity.

Thanksgiving is coming, and we better get spiritually prepared for some potentially tough conversations.  Bring along peanut M and M's! 

There, he stood—the golden head of an empire that stretched across the horizon, with the rivers of Babylon winding

Acclaimed by leaders, teachers, and grassroots justice-seekers from multiple faith traditions, Justice-Love invites us to probe our own thoughts and emotions on the way to more loving and healing connections with others.

To a certain extent, being a perennialist implies a cafeteria approach to all religions. Ideally, one tries to pick and choose what is universally true while ignoring what is culturally specific.