Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20): “What is happening at the border has gone beyond a political issue and has become a moral issue.” How in the world was this Austin TX-based retired clergy person hearing these words from Congressman Castro, in the midst of dozens of clergy colleagues, in the hall of the First Presbyterian Church in McAllen…
Multi: The Chemistry of Church Diversity By Paul Nixon When Paul Nixon’s most famous book — I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church — came into my pastor world, I so appreciated its congregational vitality message that the title became one of my own ministry mantras. So, I looked forward to reading and reviewing his…
[This essay was originally published as “The Pastoral is Political: Woman Card, Man Card, Winning Card” for RevGalBlogPals during the 2016 presidential election. The meeting with the church leader took place at a pizza place in the Oregon District in Dayton OH, a favorite meeting place for downtown workers. Early Sunday August 4, the Oregon District…
Denial is My Spiritual Practice (And Other Failures of Faith) is a collection of personal essays written by two United Church of Christ clergywomen, Rachel Hackenberg and Martha Spong. They are my colleagues and my dear friends. When they collaborate, good things happen, so I have been anticipating this book. I received a review copy…
Tidings of Comfort & Joy 