When I began full-time congregational ministry, I was very fortunate to have a wonderful mentor who was my boss as well as the church’s senior minister. He took me under his...

My parents and grandparents passed on their most treasured values to me: Finish what you start, live a life of integrity, value education, and lean on God and family for strength....

In Jesus’ parables, it can sometimes be hard to determine which characters we’re supposed to identify with. Perhaps in this parable, though, we are called to identify with both sons, recognizing...

The chief priests and elders were furious and probably a little frightened. This upstart rabble rouser, who wasn’t even officially a rabbi, had been making a name for himself all over...

Experts say the verses of this reading may be an early hymn or poem of the church. Paul may have written the words, but it’s possible this poetry was already known...

What makes a community? Humans have banded together over millennia for many reasons: to share resources, for protection, for economic opportunity, for family obligation and loyalty. Members of the group usually...

Who is the keeper of your family lore? Every family needs someone who knows the story of how grandpa and grandma met, or how great-great-grandma crossed the plains in a covered...

As a teacher, it is my job to share knowledge with my students and help them understand its importance in their lives, both right now and in the future. I help...

Imagine the scene. The Israelites were frightened, angry, and desperately thirsty. It would be easy to dismiss their wailing as mere complaint, but on closer inspection, it becomes clear that this...