How to liven up your Annual Parish Meeting
It’s annual meeting season. Back when I was a rector, I liked them to go smoothly, like well-scripted legislative machines. Now that I merely attend the meetings, I prefer to see some fireworks. So,...
Blog
An Acts 8 moment?
For the last couple of weeks, I have been in much conversation with Susan Snook and Tom Ferguson (known for their blogs, A Good and Joyful Thing and Crusty Old Dean). We have been...
NEWS FLASH! BREAKING EXCLUSIVE! The color of the so-called Blue Book revealed!
Three years ago, Seven whole days was privileged to break the news of the so-called Blue Book’s color. Last time, it was crimson. This year, the color will be “salmon pink.” The 7WD news...
The ekklesia of social media
I contributed an article for the Fall 2011 issue of Reflections, the journal of Yale Divinity School. It’s a whole issue on new media, and I was humbled to join some pretty great company...
Angels: setting the record straight
Our culture has an angel problem. Lots of people talk about angels. Guardian angel this, Hallmark card that. Angels appear on TV shows. Angels are regular features in all manner of popular culture, high...
Practicing our slogan
“The Episcopal Church welcomes you!” That’s our deal, right? We’re welcoming. Or not so much. Now that I’m not serving in a parish, I have been visiting lots of Episcopal congregations. It’s been illuminating,...
Article XXXIX: Of a Christian man’s oath
This post is part of a Lenten series on the 39 Articles. Article XXXIX: Of a Christian man’s oath As we confess that vain and rash swearing is forbidden Christian men by our Lord...
Article XXXVIII: Of Christian men’s goods which are not common
This post is part of a Lenten series on the 39 Articles. Article XXXVIII: Of Christian men’s goods which are not common The riches and goods of Christians are not common, as touching the...
Article XXXVII: Of the civil magistrates
This post is part of a Lenten series on the 39 Articles. Article XXXVII: Of the civil magistrates The Queen’s Majesty hath the chief power in this realm of England and other her dominions,...
Article XXXVI: Of consecration of bishops and ministers
This post is part of a Lenten series on the 39 Articles. Article XXXVI: Of consecration of bishops and ministers The Book of Consecration of Archbishops and Bishops and ordering of Priests and Deacons,...
Article XXXV: Of Homilies
This post is part of a Lenten series on the 39 Articles. Article XXXV: Of Homilies The second Book of Homilies, the several titles whereof we have joined under this Article, doth contain a...
Article XXXIV: Of the traditions of the Church
This post is part of a Lenten series on the 39 Articles. Article XXXIV: Of the traditions of the Church It is not necessary that traditions and ceremonies be in all places one or...