Reflection Roundup: Reframing Our Questions
Each week we gather news stories, notable pieces, and other important items for Christian leaders today. As always, listening broadly draws together differing perspectives from which we can learn but may not concur. Here are 10 things worth sharing this week.
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1. Hard hitting, imaginative, and adventurous yet culminating in practical steps, Rowan Williams, Justo González, Emilie Townes, and Sam Wells put their heads together in “Imagining the future of theological education.” While seemingly in peril, reframed questions and multiple successful pathways broaden and deepen the well of adventure that is Spirit-led theological exploration, making it an integral tool for the church at large for whom the seminary classroom ultimately exists. Seminary tangoes passionately with questions of faith and issues of culture, utilizing the weight and balance of each studied day as invaluable to the mission of God in the life of each of God’s people. This article left me breathless in anticipation of new realities as they come into play more broadly within theological education. For further reflection on bravely changing one’s mind, check out González’s December piece in which he likens theological education to “a thriving irrigation hose,” testifying to the soaking aspect of the richness of the life of one seminarian for the surrounding ground.
2. Who are your truth tellers, the ones whose holy friendship can withstand the tunnel of chaos that inevitably ensues hard questions? As a managing director of Leadership Education at Duke Divinity, Victoria Atkinson White describes her confessor’s sharpening. “Who do you want to be while you are growing up?” It’s a challenging query to both individuals and communities in this season of rapid flux. Growing in this permission, we must challenge one another in interpersonal and corporate ways, growing “as God sees us, as flourishing individuals and thriving institutions offering our unique contributions to beloved community.” Praise God for those who aid in reframing our questions!
3. We are seeking to understand, to learn, to love and see the good. In “Black Love … for America,” Steven Brice eloquently describes what takes place within Black folks as they live in and move through white culture in America. The holy, beautiful Love-hum makes this possible.
4. Too important not to share is, “Women Theologians of Global Christianity,” the most recent installment in the edited series, “Exploring the Wisdom and Theologies of Global Christianity with Graham Joseph Hill.” The series helps frame the questions of faith through different cultural lenses. Grace Ji-Sun Kim joins Hill in expressing these queries in practical ways in this no-miss read, Healing Our Broken Humanity: Practices for Revitalizing the Church and Renewing the World.
5. Jeff Harding hosts the Youth Ministry Maverick podcast, currently in an Enneagram series. He and Danielle Allen, Enneagram expert and episode co-host, interview Andrew Root, an Enneagram Five, on strengths and growth areas plus the questions framed by a Five’s perspective on the world of youth ministry, where Fives are a rare breed! Check out the entire series for each Enneagram number’s perspective on this facet of ministry plus a free Enneagram assessment alongside each episode.
6. “Pastors are a notorious bunch when it comes to work. The ministry tends to attract two types: lazy bums and workaholics. This post is more for the workaholics. How can a pastor find the work-life balance sweet spot?” Wherever you find yourself on the continuum, Sam Rainer offers “Six Ways Pastors Can Find the Work-Life Balance Sweet Spot.” No, it doesn’t have to be perfect, but even one of these frames is worth exploring to avoid the too-common battery drain.
7. From one day to the next, our activities often surprise us like the weather last week in Texas. Amid great tragedy, the Christian Chronicle reported, “Everyone in the church and city is helping each other.” Oklahoma, too, offered “Hotel rooms – and hope – for the homeless.” What good shall I do this day?
8. “There are obvious questions about what constitutes the Christian tradition. For example, inherited Christian teachings are never singular, never one tradition. Christian living spins out variations.” Mark Jordan of Harvard Divinity School, writes “The puzzles of teaching Christian tradition,” processing these pedagogical questions.
9. “What Tempts You?” is a worthy question as we remain on our guard. See also this compelling devotional for Lent based on Matt. 16:21-23. What footholds am I offering?
10. Our thresholds are lower right now, and this fact begs acknowledgement and will reveal itself whether we acquiesce to it or not. “Threshold” poet R. S. Thomas, who passed away decades ago, wrote this intuitive, transcendent piece that translates contemporarily with such ease. In search of quiet? Note this offering that just might serve to reaffirm a new beginning. Edible Theology, the Instagram baking community facilitated by Kendall Vanderslice, offered this Liturgy for Ash Wednesday Bread Making in which you may find a seat for your creativity and renewal any time during this Lenten season.
