As I’ve said before, I am fascinated with the process of making things. Perhaps it’s because on the rare occasion I can do just that – making a mosaic as a gift, a toy for one of my kids, or dinner for friends – it seems so utterly satisfying. (More so, actually, than most of what I do.) I have a hunch that making things – bringing things into being – not only connects us with things of the earth like wood or food but also perhaps aligns us with the creating and creative God we know in and through Jesus. Whatever the reason, I’m intensely curious about the process of how we make things and so fan a well-made films about just...

Michael Curry, the Episcopal Bishop of the North Caroline Diocese, is one of my favorite people in the church. He is an outstanding preacher, teacher, and theologian, and I am regularly inspired when I hear him. For this reason, I was very excited when I heard he was writing a book, and doubly so when I had a chance to read it. All of which explains why I am now triply excited that he is participating in a MOOC. What is MOOC, you ask? It stands for Massive Open Online Course – short hand for saying it’s an online class that is open to anyone and everyone for free. Sponsored by ChurchNext, Michael’s class is called “How to Be a Crazy...

Pretty much all I’ve got this morning are questions. Why do I like this poem so much? I don’t know, except perhaps, just now, the darker mysteries seem more transparent, or at least available, than the higher ones. What moves me about these lines? Still don’t know, except that just now I’m not sure I can bear a miracle that needs explaining but would be glad to receive a sign of what’s next, of what I should do, of what is even possible. Why, for that matter, is this a poem, as it feels as much like prose as poetry? Perhaps it’s the line breaks, or the imagery, or the lack of resolution, or the silent invitation. I just don’t...

Fourth Friday Film Forum: Silver Linings Playbook To be a person, my friend Andy Root says in his wonderful new book The Relational Pastor, is to be broken. Most of us probably don’t like the sound of that too much, but there is surprising power and freedom in admitting it’s true. For once we stop trying constantly to pretend that we have it all together, that life is just as we want it to be, and that we don’t really need anyone else, then we can open ourselves up to the power of authentic and transformative relationship. While I’ll review Andy’s book more thoroughly soon, I thought of it as I prepared to write about what was one...

I’ve both appreciated and enjoyed the comments (and emails) on the post “What is Preaching?” Not surprisingly, folks shared a number of insights and views, though most insights seemed to break down into three categories in particular: 1) I like preaching the way it is (as a hearer or preacher), so let’s not fix something that’s not broken. (Actually the minority sentiment expressed.) 2) I’d really like to be more engaged. (Perhaps the dominant response from listeners.) 3) I’d like to engage folks more, but am not sure how or, for that matter, how it would be received. (The corresponding sentiment from preachers.) And this, of...