There is one silver lining, though, for those who insist on remaining in the PCUSA: The denomination could very well grow after they formally vote to reject Christ’s unique role in salvation. After all, such a vote would align the PCUSA nicely with the Unitarian Universalist church and perhaps the two could merge.   Schism,... Continue Reading

“I can’t make everyone happy or cause everyone to love everything about my husband or our church, but I can be faithful to run the race ahead of me and invite others to love Christ, who is the true focus of all our work.”   I said last summer that I planned to move away from... Continue Reading

“The arrival of same-sex marriage is just the next train stop on a journey that began with the proliferation of birth control in the 1950′s and 1960′s. When pleasure and reproduction were divorced from a holistic understanding of sex, the idea that sexual expression and childrearing should be reserved for the committed relationship of a... Continue Reading

The Theological Forum presented a report and a motion to extend the same status to same sex couples that had participated in a gay marriage rather than a civil partnership ceremony. Although the Theological Forum viewed their motion as simply an extension of the act passed on Saturday, and tried to frame their argument in... Continue Reading

“Some leaders seem to have an endless supply of energy, enthusiasm, and passion. Even these super-leaders have to take time to feed themselves. If you fail to do this, you will find yourself depleted and weak. Take the time to do something for yourself—those you lead will be glad, and you will be more effective.”... Continue Reading

“Permit me to offer my observations about why the Episcopal churches have hollowed out. They are not the result of a scientific survey, but my hunch is that they will ring true with many Episcopalians with traditional views. My observations are based on experiences I had while attending talent shows with a friend at an... Continue Reading

“They’re better at holding on to the people born into their tradition (65 percent retention compared to 59 percent for Catholics and 45 percent for Mainline Protestants), and they’re a stronger attractor for people leaving other faiths. According to Pew’s data on conversion rates, 10 percent of people raised Catholic wind up as evangelicals. Just... Continue Reading

Hinkley issued a statement criticizing the church’s actions. The discovery of her husband’s use of “child pornography”, she said, was “an indescribable shock and triggered a thorough upheaval of every aspect of my life”. However, she said that “what has become even more troubling than the issues that have come to light in Jordan’s life has been... Continue Reading

Be energized by the concept that your church could become the most loving church in the world. I find this compelling. There will be many things your church may not be. It may not be the most educated church or the most innovative church, or the most evangelistic church, etc., but it can be the... Continue Reading

“This is the striking story of the last 30 years: Despite the stereotype of religion as something that people “cling to” (to quote a different moment of condescension from this president) in desperate circumstances, actual religious practice has collapsed more quickly among Americans with weaker economic prospects than it has among the college-educated upper class.”... Continue Reading