Category: Faith
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Oct. 30 Gathering: Where are the Prophets?
Among the most dramatic roles in the Old Testament was that of the prophet. Advisors to kings, judges of the nation, and oracles to the people, the prophets played a crucial function in the theological history of Israel. Contrary to common belief, the primary job of the prophet was not to foresee the future, but to…
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Oct. 16 Gathering: “The Dreams You Encourage Them to Have”
What might it look like for us to seek the best for our political opponents? How can we imagine prospering under leadership we so deeply disrespect?
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Oct. 2 Gathering: World Communion Sunday Instructed Eucharist
Have we lost some of the significance of the ancient and holy rite of the Eucharist? Has it become little more than another ritual for us to march through occasionally, more out of obligation than for transformation?
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Sept. 18 Gathering – The Prayer of Jabez
Does God really want to grant us “enlarged territories” and pain-free lives? If so, what’s the deal? And if not, why would Jabez even warrant recognition in the Holy Scriptures?
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Sept. 4 Gathering: Haters gonna hate — Luke 14:25-35
What do we make of Jesus’ radical call to discipleship in light of Luke’s retelling of the Exodus narrative?
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Aug. 21 Gathering: Luke 13:10-17 – Rescued by the marginalized
Could Jesus be revealing something of his broader agenda in this relatively small gathering?
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Aug. 7 Gathering: Luke 12:32-40 — Are You Ready?
What do “treasures in heaven” have to do with servants waiting for their master? Are there hints in the text that point us to a warning for Israel that still holds true for us today?
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July 24 Gathering: Scorpions, Snakes, and a Prayer
Why does Luke’s version of this prayer differ from Matthew’s, where it appears in the midst of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount? Is it the same prayer taught in a different context? Or is Luke’s agenda different? Why does it matter? And what’s all this about snakes and scorpions?
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July 10 Gathering: The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
While this is certainly a familiar story–both within the church as well as within the culture–it bears some examination. At the heart of the story is the question of what it means to love our neighbors. But there are also questions about how to apply the original cultural/historical context to our present time, what truly…
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June 19 Gathering: Breaking the cycle of violence
Can faith communities play a role in reshaping culture away from violence as our default response? In essence, that’s the heart of Jesus’ kingdom announcement. That death and violence no longer reign. But can we actually live that life? And, if we can, what might it change?