Without being accusatory, it seemed like those earlier moments that I struggled with were actually examples of white silence and the white solidarity that it promotes. Both of which, as you know Robin DiAngelo discusses in White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism. But I also wonder if it’s me or did you also notice a shift in our co-leadership once we read White Fragility along with the fuller NEXT Church strategy team?
https://next.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2019/02/featured-co-chairs.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2019-02-13 06:14:012019-02-14 17:10:08You, Me, and White Fragility: Open Letters from the NEXT Church Co-Chairs
My copy of this book will be full of underlining and coffee stains as I return over and over to see what Ken has to say about the text I’m preaching on. His words often say what I intuit, but am not yet able to articulate.
https://next.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2019/02/featured-irrational-david.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2019-02-11 06:58:122019-02-05 20:40:56Scripture, Poetry, and the "Irrational David"
The Jesus that I’ve come to know is not a Jesus of comfort and convenience but rather a Jesus who inconveniently and nonsensically disrupts the status quo theologically, historically, politically, socially, racially, and personally. This Jesus is the Jesus we were always meant to follow.
Reading in and beyond one’s field is important to offering good leadership. And secondly, passing on what has been worthwhile is also a mark of good leadership. NEXT Church is committed to developing leaders and to continual growth and learning in the context of community. We hope this month of blog posts will offer some good food for thought as we put reading/learning back on the front burner.
https://next.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2019/01/featured-books.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2019-02-04 06:34:142019-02-04 12:58:25Reading as Good Leadership
But in my mind, the benediction and the accompanying charge serves as more than a blessing. I also see it as a line of demarcation, with a before and an after.
https://next.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2019/01/featured-neighborhood.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2019-01-31 07:07:132019-01-19 16:17:23Sent Out into the World
As long as we continue to engage in the offering as merely a financial ask for the church’s vitality, we disregard the call to discipleship that requires us to see money and possessions as a disruptive force for change in ourselves and the world. We must rid ourselves of a few myths.
When was the last time you let yourself take a moment of stillness in the midst of a busy day and a busy life? We are taught to admire people who rush through the day, accomplishing so much more than seems humanly possible. If we are wage workers, we know that there is no grace from our employers if we are caught staring into space, even if we know that in our hearts we are glorifying God.
https://next.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2019/01/featured-pray-prayer.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2019-01-28 06:42:342019-01-28 09:21:04Contemplation in a Status Quo World
It’s commonplace to talk about what one person or another “brings to the table” as a reflection of the desire increase the available gifts and skills. However, since at the Lord’s Table, God does most of the bringing and we partake of and participate in what God gives, the question could be turned around to ask: what do we receive and take from the Table?
https://next.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2019/01/featured-table.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2019-01-24 06:21:562019-01-19 16:04:48What Do We Bring From the Table?
How enthusiastic are you about coming to the Lord’s Table for communion? That was a question I posed to 16 high school students as part of my recent doctoral research. What emerged was an interesting tension between their passion for the sacrament and their boredom with the ritual.
https://next.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/05/featured-2015-communion.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2019-01-23 06:58:042019-01-19 16:05:10Youth and the Lord’s Table in the Real World
Rather than use words alone to demonstrate what I’m suggesting, I will invite you on a multi-sensory journey. Let us move for a moment from a stationary pulpit into the streets and look with fresh eyes and open hearts for a prophetic word preached in the visuals of street arts, graffiti and public installations.
https://next.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2019/01/featured-chicago-mural.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2019-01-21 06:45:122019-01-19 16:05:32Public Art as Prophetic Word
You, Me, and White Fragility: Open Letters from the NEXT Church Co-Chairs
/in Book Reviews, Leadership, Resources /by Linda KurtzWithout being accusatory, it seemed like those earlier moments that I struggled with were actually examples of white silence and the white solidarity that it promotes. Both of which, as you know Robin DiAngelo discusses in White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism. But I also wonder if it’s me or did you also notice a shift in our co-leadership once we read White Fragility along with the fuller NEXT Church strategy team?
Scripture, Poetry, and the “Irrational David”
/in Book Reviews, Leadership, Resources /by Linda KurtzMy copy of this book will be full of underlining and coffee stains as I return over and over to see what Ken has to say about the text I’m preaching on. His words often say what I intuit, but am not yet able to articulate.
Radical Reconciliation Reimagined
/1 Comment/in Book Reviews, Leadership, Resources /by Linda KurtzThe Jesus that I’ve come to know is not a Jesus of comfort and convenience but rather a Jesus who inconveniently and nonsensically disrupts the status quo theologically, historically, politically, socially, racially, and personally. This Jesus is the Jesus we were always meant to follow.
Reading as Good Leadership
/in Book Reviews, Leadership, Resources /by Linda KurtzReading in and beyond one’s field is important to offering good leadership. And secondly, passing on what has been worthwhile is also a mark of good leadership. NEXT Church is committed to developing leaders and to continual growth and learning in the context of community. We hope this month of blog posts will offer some good food for thought as we put reading/learning back on the front burner.
Sent Out into the World
/in Worship /by Linda KurtzBut in my mind, the benediction and the accompanying charge serves as more than a blessing. I also see it as a line of demarcation, with a before and an after.
Stewardship in Today’s Culture
/1 Comment/in Worship /by Linda KurtzAs long as we continue to engage in the offering as merely a financial ask for the church’s vitality, we disregard the call to discipleship that requires us to see money and possessions as a disruptive force for change in ourselves and the world. We must rid ourselves of a few myths.
Contemplation in a Status Quo World
/in Worship /by Linda KurtzWhen was the last time you let yourself take a moment of stillness in the midst of a busy day and a busy life? We are taught to admire people who rush through the day, accomplishing so much more than seems humanly possible. If we are wage workers, we know that there is no grace from our employers if we are caught staring into space, even if we know that in our hearts we are glorifying God.
What Do We Bring From the Table?
/in Worship /by Linda KurtzIt’s commonplace to talk about what one person or another “brings to the table” as a reflection of the desire increase the available gifts and skills. However, since at the Lord’s Table, God does most of the bringing and we partake of and participate in what God gives, the question could be turned around to ask: what do we receive and take from the Table?
Youth and the Lord’s Table in the Real World
/1 Comment/in Worship /by Linda KurtzHow enthusiastic are you about coming to the Lord’s Table for communion? That was a question I posed to 16 high school students as part of my recent doctoral research. What emerged was an interesting tension between their passion for the sacrament and their boredom with the ritual.
Public Art as Prophetic Word
/in Worship /by Linda KurtzRather than use words alone to demonstrate what I’m suggesting, I will invite you on a multi-sensory journey. Let us move for a moment from a stationary pulpit into the streets and look with fresh eyes and open hearts for a prophetic word preached in the visuals of street arts, graffiti and public installations.