Articles tagged with: Pastoral Reflections
by Reginald Brantley
One of the great ironies of Christian history in America is that slave masters taught their black slaves a racialist form of Christianity, hoping to keep them docile, but instead the story of the Exodus taught them that the God who rescued the Hebrew slaves and brought them out of Egypt was their God of liberation. Men like Demark Vesey and Nat Turner preached a liberation theology that rescued America from its baser self.
by Nicole Duncan-Smith
This is a personal story of how Angelou’s writings and life influenced the author to such a degree, that she credits Maya Angelou with her gaining self-confidence, and teaching her how to navigate some difficult periods in her life. Angelou as poet/author/ humanitarian inspired her readers and listeners many positive ways.
by Dae Jung
Dae Jung credits Angelou’s book, All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes, as defining endurance as “what happens as a resistance to death by life itself.” He also uses the experiences of Theologian Jürgen Moltmann as a teenager in Germany to show how hope is a strong motivator for life.
Collected by Darla Turlington
A collection of quotes from Maya Angelou.
by Baruch A. Levine
The author relates today’s concept of endurance to how it was demonstrated in the Hebrew Bible. For example, he uses Deut 4:3–4 to show how the Israelites who remained loyal to the Covenant with YHWH were not seduced by Baal-Peor, the Moabite deity. There are many interesting examples of how the Old Testament Israelites demonstrated faithful endurance.
by Pam Hasegawa
Here is an example of how one person realized that the poor peasants in Asia who had been cheated by unscrupulous middlemen could change their lives and the lives of people in their villages by attending a nine-month training session that required extreme endurance. This is a wonderful, true tale!
by Kevin Yoho
How do the actions of a local, inner city church square with the concept of endurance? They do if the subject is Mission Endurance. Here are the experiences of a pastor whose church had endured but was facing new unpleasant realities. Successful endurance often requires new thinking. Here is how one church overcame the revered dying past to establish a new future.
by Donald L. Odom
There are many examples of people overcoming obstacles through endurance. Sometimes endurance is a physical attribute, but it can also reflect mental toughness. The author shares his own need for endurance when he was diagnosed with cancer and he wondered, “Why me?” And later he learned that our growth in God depends on continuing to mature in faith to overcome our challenges.
by Cleotha Robertson
The two Biblical characters who most represent the idea of endurance are Job and Jesus. Who does not sympathize with Job—set upon by the devil, abandoned by his friends and seemingly by God? Jesus, tested by Satan, and constantly attacked by the religious community showed endurance that could have come only from God.
by Insook Lee
Many health care professionals consider religion and spirituality essential components in a holistic approach to health; many religious leaders recognize the benefits of using scientific and psychological perspectives to assess and treat specific symptoms. Here the author suggests ways for pastors to engage in dialog and treatment with health professionals.
by Gail Davis
When pastors sense that they have failed to live up to self-imposed standards they may feel hopelessness. Suicide among clergy is as common as in the general population. This article offers ways to help pastors and congregations ratchet down unrealistic expectations. Pastors are not 24-hour ERs and congregations need to come to grips with that reality.
by Bill Gaventa
As people with disabilities and their families become more visible in our congregations, the power of invitation, hospitality, and inclusion starts with the pastor and extends throughout the congregation. The author gives practical advice on how to do just that, and he includes many tips for pastors and others for making successful, error-free transitions.