When the brewery down the street promotes itself as being “mission-driven,” what is the church to do? When the coffee shop around the corner is crowned the neighborhood’s favorite “third space,” what is the church to do? When atheists’ gatherings and AA meetings tout life-transforming engagement, what is the church to do? And when 7 minute TED Talks garner millions of clicks, views, and shares, what is the church to do?
https://next.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2019/06/featured-m2m-pride.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2019-06-26 19:16:292019-06-26 21:24:25We Are the Church, for God's Sake
While the social theory of “like attracts like” may have some results, sadly, the theological implication of the HUP is devoid of the gospel of the kingdom. The gospel of the kingdom breaks down the walls that divide, brings together people who eat meat and those who don’t, unites Gentiles and Jews, male and female, marginalized and privileged, and on and on.
https://next.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2019/06/featured-elaine-vaden.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2019-06-26 05:00:512019-06-16 13:06:05Not Like Us
Sermons that preach justice are the adult version of bad children’s Sunday school classes. The scriptures we interpret have a moral lesson to them, usually something to the effect that God wants us to practice non-violent resistance (aka don’t hit our siblings), be radically inclusive (aka be nice to our peers), and work towards economic equality (aka share our toys).
https://next.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/12/featured-bible-highlight.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2019-06-24 06:24:502019-06-24 11:10:03Preaching Justice Without the Gospel is Nothing More than Moralism
This socio-scientific data tells us that we people of faith need to respond to the earth with radical love. We do so with the understanding that our collective “we” power is more powerful than our individual actions.
https://next.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2019/06/featured-earth-planet.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2019-06-20 06:16:062019-06-21 23:04:15Loving the Earth Boldly as People of Faith
Ever since I was welcomed into the Presbyterian Church (USA) I have encountered the words “inclusion” and “inclusive”… a lot. As someone who has a brother affected by a cognitive disability and a mom who struggles with addiction and mental illness, these words meant good news and hope. However, as I committed myself to disability studies, I discovered these words were actually lacking depth.
https://next.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2019/06/featured-crowd-smoke.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2019-06-18 06:19:452019-06-16 12:24:36Inclusion Through Access: Discipleship in Love
God didn’t wait on the church to get things done. In fact, I’ve come to believe that many of my non-church friends are better doers of the Word than the people who read it every Sunday morning.
https://next.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2019/06/featured-handwashing-baltimore-ng.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2019-06-17 05:56:582019-06-07 08:15:57A New Vision of the Old, Old Story
Yes, the local church is to be a house of prayer and worship, but it must also be a place of action and mobilization. The era of the country club church, the membership club for insiders, is over (if it was ever sanctified at all to begin with).
https://next.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2019/06/featured-steve-poor-peoples.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2019-06-13 06:47:502019-06-07 07:55:53Church Matters — When It Mobilizes
Like the beauty of the azalea, the radiance of its petals, the graciousness of its presence and the brightening power of its existence, this we are in God’s eyes in the world. We are unique without comparison and fearfully and wonderfully made.
https://next.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2019/06/featured-pink-azalea.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2019-06-12 06:35:462019-06-07 07:46:16Diversity Is What's Next
If adherence to the traditional forms of church and its mores can still result in catastrophe, then why bother? When pastors and presidents are guilty as hell of heinous wrongdoing; when leaders of faith and of civic life metaphorically and literally abuse those in their care; where, then, are we left to turn?
We Are the Church, for God’s Sake
/2 Comments/in Contemporary Culture /by Linda KurtzWhen the brewery down the street promotes itself as being “mission-driven,” what is the church to do? When the coffee shop around the corner is crowned the neighborhood’s favorite “third space,” what is the church to do? When atheists’ gatherings and AA meetings tout life-transforming engagement, what is the church to do? And when 7 minute TED Talks garner millions of clicks, views, and shares, what is the church to do?
Not Like Us
/in Contemporary Culture /by Linda KurtzWhile the social theory of “like attracts like” may have some results, sadly, the theological implication of the HUP is devoid of the gospel of the kingdom. The gospel of the kingdom breaks down the walls that divide, brings together people who eat meat and those who don’t, unites Gentiles and Jews, male and female, marginalized and privileged, and on and on.
Preaching Justice Without the Gospel is Nothing More than Moralism
/2 Comments/in Contemporary Culture /by Linda KurtzSermons that preach justice are the adult version of bad children’s Sunday school classes. The scriptures we interpret have a moral lesson to them, usually something to the effect that God wants us to practice non-violent resistance (aka don’t hit our siblings), be radically inclusive (aka be nice to our peers), and work towards economic equality (aka share our toys).
Loving the Earth Boldly as People of Faith
/1 Comment/in Contemporary Culture /by Linda KurtzThis socio-scientific data tells us that we people of faith need to respond to the earth with radical love. We do so with the understanding that our collective “we” power is more powerful than our individual actions.
Facing Criticism and Questions
/in Contemporary Culture /by Linda KurtzFace it: in ministry there will be criticism. We will be criticized. Especially when we’re at the forefront of what God is doing “next” in the church.
Inclusion Through Access: Discipleship in Love
/1 Comment/in Contemporary Culture /by Linda KurtzEver since I was welcomed into the Presbyterian Church (USA) I have encountered the words “inclusion” and “inclusive”… a lot. As someone who has a brother affected by a cognitive disability and a mom who struggles with addiction and mental illness, these words meant good news and hope. However, as I committed myself to disability studies, I discovered these words were actually lacking depth.
A New Vision of the Old, Old Story
/in Contemporary Culture /by Linda KurtzGod didn’t wait on the church to get things done. In fact, I’ve come to believe that many of my non-church friends are better doers of the Word than the people who read it every Sunday morning.
Church Matters — When It Mobilizes
/in Contemporary Culture /by Linda KurtzYes, the local church is to be a house of prayer and worship, but it must also be a place of action and mobilization. The era of the country club church, the membership club for insiders, is over (if it was ever sanctified at all to begin with).
Diversity Is What’s Next
/in Contemporary Culture /by Linda KurtzLike the beauty of the azalea, the radiance of its petals, the graciousness of its presence and the brightening power of its existence, this we are in God’s eyes in the world. We are unique without comparison and fearfully and wonderfully made.
Permission to Dissent
/in Contemporary Culture /by Linda KurtzIf adherence to the traditional forms of church and its mores can still result in catastrophe, then why bother? When pastors and presidents are guilty as hell of heinous wrongdoing; when leaders of faith and of civic life metaphorically and literally abuse those in their care; where, then, are we left to turn?