This conversation with Trisha Taylor looks at the impact of shame and trauma on our ability to build loving communities. Trisha is a Pastoral Counselor, author, and a good friend. Thank you for listening. [Read more…]
Engaging and Stewarding This Great Awakening
These are challenging times. A part of my work takes place in the world of Christian congregations and there is simply a growing body of evidence that the Christian church as it has existed for a long period of time is no longer working. Some can find notable exceptions to that assertion, perhaps in the congregation you attend. But, the growing body of evidence is compelling.
Noted German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, writing from a Nazi prison camp, speculated that Christianity might be over as a religion, adding that all religion is an “historical and temporary form of human expression.” Religion was ebbing away. At that point we were in the very earliest stages of what is more full blown today. Pondering this change, he wondered, “What is a religionless Christianity?” [Read more…]
Holding Tension
In the recent execution of Harris County Deputy Sheriff Darren Goforth, Harris County Sheriff Ron Hickman linked that execution to the Black Lives Matter movement. I believe this is a prime example of polarizing rhetoric that is at the root of many of the challenges our communities face.
Sheriff Goforth was shot in the back of his head while filling his patrol car with gas. The death was horrendously shocking and sent a wave of fear and anger throughout Harris County and beyond. I grieve with the Goforth family. I attended Sheriff Goforth’s funeral to show my support for his work and for his family.
In Support of HERO
I want to say from the outset that this blog is about my convictions about how one stewards power or influence in a democracy and not about personal religious beliefs about sexuality. On November 3, 2015, registered voters in the city of Houston will have an opportunity to vote on the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO). I plan to vote to for this ordinance and I want to say why.
First some background information. In May 2014 Houston City Council passed an ordinance that prohibits discrimination in areas like employment, housing, and public accommodations on the basis of 15 characteristics including race, sex, religion, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. [Read more…]
The Amazing Power of Vulnerability
I’m a part of a learning community where we are working to increase our capacity to love ourselves, others, and God. It’s an interesting collection of people – a variety of careers, married and single, some from really great families and some who experienced unthinkable trauma in their childhood. We are straight and gay, we are republican and democrat, we are Christian and agnostic and perhaps a closet atheist. Most of us grew up in church and were in some ways wounded there.
One of the things that draws us together is a deep commitment to vulnerability as a pathway to learning to love. I believe that it is virtually impossible to grow in the capacity to love God, neighbors and self until and unless you vulnerably share yourself with others.