It’s just the case that many people are not “joiners.” I suspect that wariness is a symptom of a larger suspicion of institutionalization in general. Curiously, I am finding that many people are not commitment-avoidant when it comes to showing up, pitching in, and even supporting with time or money. But, becoming a “member” seems to be another matter.
https://media.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2017/09/29174150/featured-church-community-chapel.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2019-10-03 06:11:522019-10-03 10:25:14Talking Membership… in a Join-Averse World
Today’s most popular contemporary myths and stories centering around power, and the right use vs. the abuse of power, mirror a similar theology of power presented in scripture.
https://media.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2018/04/29173703/featured-harry-potter.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2019-09-12 05:50:252019-09-18 15:45:32Re-post: A Theology of Power
In her testimony during the 2016 National Gathering, Jessica Vazquez Torres offers a strong challenge to the church to get serious about addressing the evil that is racism in meaningful ways. This 30 minute video is a resource for leaders and congregations who are already talking about race, racism, and white supremacy and want to lean into that tension.
https://media.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2019/04/29172846/featured-jessica-jvt-testimony.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2019-04-09 15:58:232019-04-09 15:58:23Addressing the Evil That is Racism
Black congregational instability is only one issue that is facing Black Presbyterians, and in 2018, I dare say that it is not the most significant. The challenge of being Black in the Presbyterian Church (USA) is not about decline. It is about racism.
In these historically Black Presbyterian churches, there is a culture that guides, governs, and determines the future for the survival of these congregations. The Black church of the PCUSA is steeped in rich tradition that seemingly gets lost in translation when being acknowledged at the national level.
https://media.myworshiptimes31.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2018/10/29173243/featured-cece.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2018-10-24 06:29:582018-10-17 19:35:38National Words for Local Work
We must learn to wrestle like Jacob at Jabbock with our intersectional sins, known as race, class, and gender, that keep us from seeing the humanity of the individuals for whom we took a constitutional oath to call colleague. If the church is become the loving community God created it to be, we must allow ourselves to embrace the beautiful, yet never ending, struggle of becoming our better selves.
Talking Membership… in a Join-Averse World
/1 Comment/in Contemporary Culture, Theological Reflections /by Linda KurtzIt’s just the case that many people are not “joiners.” I suspect that wariness is a symptom of a larger suspicion of institutionalization in general. Curiously, I am finding that many people are not commitment-avoidant when it comes to showing up, pitching in, and even supporting with time or money. But, becoming a “member” seems to be another matter.
Re-post: A Theology of Power
/in Community Organizing, Theological Reflections /by Linda KurtzToday’s most popular contemporary myths and stories centering around power, and the right use vs. the abuse of power, mirror a similar theology of power presented in scripture.
Of Asses and Raindrops
/1 Comment/in Contemporary Culture, Theological Reflections /by Linda KurtzA poem by Melanie Weldon-Soiset.
Addressing the Evil That is Racism
/in Church Leadership, Contemporary Culture, Mission Engagement, National Gathering, Resources, Theological Reflections /by Linda KurtzIn her testimony during the 2016 National Gathering, Jessica Vazquez Torres offers a strong challenge to the church to get serious about addressing the evil that is racism in meaningful ways. This 30 minute video is a resource for leaders and congregations who are already talking about race, racism, and white supremacy and want to lean into that tension.
Our Challenge is Not Decline. It’s Racism.
/3 Comments/in Contemporary Culture, Leadership, Presbyterian Church USA, Theological Reflections /by Linda KurtzBlack congregational instability is only one issue that is facing Black Presbyterians, and in 2018, I dare say that it is not the most significant. The challenge of being Black in the Presbyterian Church (USA) is not about decline. It is about racism.
National Words for Local Work
/in Contemporary Culture, Leadership, Presbyterian Church USA, Theological Reflections /by Linda KurtzIn these historically Black Presbyterian churches, there is a culture that guides, governs, and determines the future for the survival of these congregations. The Black church of the PCUSA is steeped in rich tradition that seemingly gets lost in translation when being acknowledged at the national level.
A Butterfly Beginning
/1 Comment/in Contemporary Culture, Leadership, Presbyterian Church USA, Theological Reflections /by Linda KurtzWe must learn to wrestle like Jacob at Jabbock with our intersectional sins, known as race, class, and gender, that keep us from seeing the humanity of the individuals for whom we took a constitutional oath to call colleague. If the church is become the loving community God created it to be, we must allow ourselves to embrace the beautiful, yet never ending, struggle of becoming our better selves.