by Albrecht Classen

Many people regard the Middle Ages as a time when the people endured great stress, a time unique in history. The author disagrees with those sentiments and feels that what occurred in the Middle Ages was different from our contemporary stresses but neither worse nor better. This is an eye-opening read.

by Donna Schaper

The role of the swine in Mark 5 that cured the legion-filled demoniac is rarely discussed. The author asks if we really need a displacement to heal? Does the devil have to be put in an animal considered unclean in religious and hygienic terms–for change to come? These are among the questions designed to encourage pastors to seek new insights on ancient tales.

by Amos Yong

This article is divided into three consecutive parts: The intuition behind this essay is that the dynamic character of Christian preaching should be explicated theologically in terms of its orality and ontologically in terms of its audibility. We will explore the orality of preaching and do so in conversation with the oral culture of Pentecostalism.

by Amos Yong

In order to probe deeper into the implications of orality for a theology of preaching, the author expands the field of analysis to include both the nature of speaking vis-à-vis vocalization and the nature of hearing in relationship to sound.

by Amos Yong

A pneumatological theology of preaching connects the past to the present through the biblical witness. Chronologically, we might say that we have three sets of events: those behind the biblical text; those constituting the scriptural witness; and those in front of the text, receptors of its legacy and message.

by Dale T. Irvin

Citing the work of George Simmel, one of the founders of modern sociology, the author leads us from the simple concepts of doors as either entrances or barriers that firm up separations to bridges as building connections among people, churches, and denominations. The point readers are swept along to see reflects the need for openness and welcoming in their quest to serve God.

by Donna Schaper

This instructive, insightful article is by a senior pastor who has dealt with interracial matters for much of her life. Unafraid to address both the pitfalls and the successes of speaking about race from the pulpit, she offers sage advice as she recounts personal experiences and opinions that pastors may find useful in their own ministries.

by Keith Russell

When a congregation is short on funds, there may be a temptation to rent the Sanctuary and/or spaces to another church group. The author offers alternative ideas for growing a church that avoids the possible pitfalls of rentals and yet creates opportunities for new worship experiences with their own rewards.

by Moses O. Biney

This powerful article is based on a project with theological, ethical, and sociological underpinnings that successfully explored new ways of engaging ecumenical relationships and fostering congregational inclusiveness. It can be eye-opening and offers useful insights for those who live in divided neighborhoods and larger areas—all of us.

by Jerry Reisig

The author shares his experiences while riding the subway to and from work every day as to the valuable and useful insights he gained concerning race relations, raising self-awareness, as well as observing others who share space while hitchhiking cross country and traveling under diverse neighborhoods across the city.

by Ernest H. Jones

In his argument for choosing cooperation as a useful way to build and expand a ministry, Jones delves into a theory by author Alfie Kohn whose thesis was that competition is not innate or organic but often a failing strategy. Using cooperation as a tactic was Paul’s successful way of expanding Christ’s ministry.

by Alfred Correa

Genesis 2:18 tells us: “it is not good for humankind to be alone.” So communication among youth and adults in our churches is vitally important for the growth and strength of congregations, but there is often a disconnect between these two groups. This article explores ways in which the two seemingly disparate groups can come together for their common good.