Posts in the ‘Featured’ Category

To thrive is already to know that decisions of great theological weight and importance may well hang on our ability to acknowledge deep conflict and respond to its presence with discerning wisdom.

Dick Staub: The Aramaic word to forgive means to “untie.” Jesus knew that the fastest way to free himself from his enemies was to untie himself from their negativity through forgiving them.

Harriet Jane Olson – Reconciliation expresses an important concept in the Bible and in Christian teaching. We are invited to participate in God’s work by being reconciled to God and to others and by taking on the ministry of reconciliation.

United Methodist Portal: Bishop Woodie White reflects on a dream and asks will the church and nation move backwards in the direction of discord, name-calling and anger or forward in a direction of community in the midst of diversity.

When the leader is willing to be honest and humble in her/his reporting, it creates a culture where others can be honest about their shortfalls and celebrations as well. Then, instead of shortfalls leading to punishment, embarrassment or punitive action, it can lead to growth and a culture of honesty and accountability.

Choosing to forgive is an act of the will primarily for your benefit, but also for the benefit of the other. Forgiveness involves risk. It involves the willingness to coexist. It best comes through engagement with the other.

If we want to be smarter, to make better decisions, to have a better society or church, we would be wise to ensure that our deliberations do not include only people just like us…There is just no such thing as community without difference.

Forgiveness is at the heart of the gospel, but learning how to embody it is not easy. In their new book, “Forgiving As We’ve Been Forgiven,” L. Gregory Jones and Célestin Musekura provide a guide for the practice of forgiveness.

“Church tends to make us somewhat anxious,” said Rev. Bill Selby at the 2011 Kansas Area Professional Ministry Seminar in Wichita Jan. 11-13. “There’s a lot of anxiety in the church these days.”

UMNS: On the heels of the tragic shootings in Tucson, politicians everywhere are calling for an end to incivility in politics. The question is: Can they do it? Can we, as a culture, change how we debate our differences?