Features
Millions of unknown saints
“Even Lucifer might well have a change of heart,” said the fifth grader. “Isn’t that right, Father?”
Remembering the Reformation—with the pope
"A commemoration, not a celebration." What does this mean?
Feast: Essays by readers
We asked readers to write on the theme "feast." Here are the most compelling entries.
The pastors of Richland County
Our two ministers associations merged. Our differences don't stop us from working together.
The war on drugs failed. What now?
Public-health approaches to addiction share a compelling goal: to avoid making things worse.
Books
The Boys in the Bunkhouse, by Dan Barry
This harrowing story chronicles the decades-long indentured servitude of a group of intellectually disabled men that persisted until 2013....
Decent folks next door
Does democracy create good neighbors? Or is it the other way around?
A Small Porch: Sabbath Poems 2014-2015, by Wendell Berry
Wendell Berry continues to spend Sunday mornings in the Kentucky woods, and his readers will be rewarded....
The homophile church
Protestants were deeply involved in the gay rights movement—even before the Stonewall Riots.
Does humility require doubt?
Mark Stenberg takes aim at Christian certainty. I'm not certain that's our problem.
When family values belonged to all of us
The "traditional family" used to provide stability and comfort. Was it all an illusion?
Departments
The stewardship opportunity
There's a budget shortfall. What's the congregation going to do?
Miracles of Christ: Healing of the Ten Lepers (detail), Byzantine mosaic (12th century)
This mosaic depicting Christ healing the ten lepers (Luke 17:11–19) decorates the Monreale Cathedral in Sicily....
Boomers have got a friend in James Taylor
When my wife saw the concert tickets, she wept.
"America First" puts global neighbors last
It's not new for politicians to talk a lot about American jobs. But their nationalistic fervor is troubling.
News
Kenneth and Linda Carder find grace amid memory loss
Some residents of the Bethany memory care unit can’t remember their loved ones’ names, much less the unit chaplain’s. But when Kenneth Carder preaches, they lean in....
George Mendenhall, biblical studies scholar, dies at 99
George Emery Mendenhall, who made pioneering contributions to the field of biblical studies, died August 5 at age 99 at his home in Ann Arbor, Michigan....
New long-term study shows smaller wage gap for clergy
In the past three decades, many clergy have experienced significant increases in income even as their work weeks declined by more than 15 percent, according to a major new study of clergy compensation....
Election issues, candidate endorsements heard from pulpits, new survey says
Most Americans are hearing campaign issues from the pulpits of their churches during this presidential election season—and some are hearing candidate endorsements as well—according to a new survey....
U.S. State Department cites blasphemy, apostasy laws as threat to religious rights
The U.S. State Department’s annual report on religious freedom around the world raises concerns over laws passed by countries that restrict religious freedoms, particularly highlighting measures against blasphemy and apostasy....
ELCA affirms points of agreement with Catholics
Nearly 500 years after Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the Castle Church door, the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States has approved a declaration recognizing “there are no longer church-dividing issues” on many points with the...
Amid tech wealth, ministries aid the homeless
Tucked behind a light industrial area of self-storage warehouses and auto parts stores in San Jose, California, is a small encampment of homeless people who live in tents along the banks of a creek....
Lectionary
October 2, 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
I'm more than a bit smitten with the image of rekindling the gift of God within us.
September 25, 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time: 1 Timothy 6:6-19; Luke 16:19-31
Luke's story of the rich man and Lazarus is full of vivid details. Which makes you cringe the most?