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Can anyone offer insight or resources for explaining what might be called liberal theology/progressive Christianity/etc to kids? Example, dealing with the mythology & otherwise troubling stories in the Bible. Sometimes when I'm reading Bible stories with kids, the horror or ridiculousness of...

The more we talk about our pain and disappointment with someone who can receive it with compassion, the less power it has over us and the more energy we can spend making the world a better place...

https://sojo.net/articles/have-we-forgotten-point-christianity A timely piece to reflect upon in light of the upcoming election. I must confess, as I have elsewhere on the site, that the thought of Trump terrifies me. I'm really struggling right now. I know I need to love my neighbor & I know...

http://emilyjoypoetry.com/7-reasons-not-to-participate-in-operation-christmas-child-this-year The tone of this piece is a bit harsh to me, but I do share some of the same concerns as the author. What is your take on this charity? Does your church participate? Have you ever participated? Other...

Hello. I'm a former Wesleyan-holiness/Methodist believer. It was always my understanding that these traditions - even the conservative Protestant bunch - consistently affirmed women in ministry, from elders/deacons to pastors. Recently a bit of news from a church of my past came to my attention...

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davidrupert/millennial-who-lost-faith-in-god/ I don't see anything unique here, from what the blogger says of the millenial's "de-conversion". I understand easily how someone can reason there is no God. But there is something here. I do often find myself thinking...

A really thoughtful piece by an Episcopal priest: http://christiancentury.org/article/2016-07/take-and-eat I think the perspective here is both pastoral to needs & traditional in understanding the importance of the Eucharist. How does your church treat people who regularly request a blessing...

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_57851f50e4b0e05f052381cb When freedom is only available to those who can afford it, many end up paying with their lives. This is an eye-opening piece. What can churches do, if anything?

So as I interviewed Clinton's staffers, colleagues, friends, and foes, I began every discussion with some form of the same question: What is true about the Hillary Clinton you’ve worked with that doesn’t come through on the campaign trail...

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/mercynotsacrifice/2016/07/01/is-there-a-christianity-that-isnt-toxic/ All of these, but especially 2, 3, 8, 9, & 10. What points resonate most with you?

In light of some recent threads that have popped up elsewhere on this site, I thought I'd share this here: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/unfundamentalistchristians/2016/07/toward-a-radical-inclusiveness/ I'm not comfortable with the idea of altering the doxology, & I'm not enthusiastic about...

How do you feel about patriotic observances during a worship service in church? I mean things like decorating the sanctuary in American flags, singing the national anthem or other patriotic songs, etc...

We believe Jesus’ life models love, grace and hope to everyone – absolutely everyone – and we want to sing songs that are true to our experience of this just and generous God. http://www.patheos.com/blogs/backstagepass/2016/06/new-music-for-a-new-christianity-the-convergence-music-project/...

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2016/06/12/3787581/obama-haunting-confrontation-pro-gun-activist-just-days-orlando-massacre/ Obama offers an answer to a question regarding gun rights just days before the Orlando massacre. The answer is almost prophetic. The full exchange can be viewed here...

Why do some followers of the Prince of Peace think it is more important to protect the right of someone to buy an assault rifle than it is to protect the rights of people to not be shot by a stranger? http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/10440698.html?yptr=yahoo I once again find myself asking this...

By now the news of the mass shooting in Orlando has reached many. June is Gay Pride Month, so I can imagine how this tragedy will cast a shadow over the time. Please pray for the victims, their families, the shooter's family, & all of those mourning in the LGBT community. :(

How does your church minister to children? I realize most churches have some sort of Sunday school class, but beyond the classroom, how does your church include children in services or minister to them?

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/rationaldoubt/2016/05/the-game-is-rigged-for-god/ An ex-pastor answers questions about his journey to non-belief. I'm sharing this here because I can relate to the doubt, but I don't always know how to respond when a person comes to this point. I wouldn't want to...

http://www.episcopalcafe.com/tec-united-methodist-dialogue-on-full-communion-committee-has-issued-a-communique/ Looks like the possibility of full communion is in the future.

What if instead of affirming the fundamental validity of keeping score when it comes to sin, Jesus’ sacrifice is the means by which all of our score-keeping is invalidated and replaced with a culture of mercy? What if it’s not God who needed to get paid in blood for our sin but us? What if what...