By Joel A. Hess - Millions of people watched from afar on cable, internet, and the streets. They stood in awe at beautiful ceremony though they did not know the groom or bride. They weren’t really invited to attend. It was especially interesting as the royal groom took on a foreign bride, a crazy American … Continue reading A Royal Wedding You’ll Be In
By Paul Koch - As a child, we had one of those rooms in our house in which nobody ever sat. Not that you couldn’t sit there: there was a large sofa, some complimentary small tables and lamps, and of course the well-appointed window dressings. It looked like a delightful living room, or family room, … Continue reading Can These Bones Live?
By Paul Koch – Over the years I have read quite a bit about the influence of Scientific Management in our schools, corporations and military but I had never really thought much about its influence in the church. Scientific Management views efficiency as the highest good. So if you want a good and well-oiled society … Continue reading In Praise of the Inefficient Church
By Hillary Asbury - Michelangelo Buonnarotti’s “Holy Family” is also referred to as the “Doni Tondo” in reference to its round shape (“tondo”) and the family that commissioned it (the Doni family). It is perhaps one of my very favorite oil paintings in history. It resides at the Uffizzi in Florence, Italy, and the first … Continue reading Pointing to Jesus with Michelangelo
By Paul Koch - Now today is a great day. It’s Mother’s Day! And if there was ever a cause worthy to observe, I think that motherhood is a great one. Now, truth be told, sermons on Mother’s Day can be a bit dicey. See, while we all may want to honor our mothers on … Continue reading Pain in Childbearing
By Paul Koch – Once a month, all my colleagues get together for a regular meeting of all the pastors in our circuit. We sit around and talk shop over coffee and breakfast type foods. We undertake some sort of theological study and catch up on any important news from our district (though it’s never … Continue reading Triple Filtered Sermon
By Hillary Asbury - The visual arts are an important part of the life of the Church, even if it is sometimes difficult to see it. In some churches, the use of art is bold and seamlessly intertwined with worship and liturgy. Paintings, mosaics, carved marble, and stained-glass windows adorn ancient and modern sanctuaries alike. … Continue reading Empty Walls, Empty Halls
