To God, though we have lost our way in life, we are never forgotten. God has a way of nudging back on life’s pathway. God utilizes people, providential situations, and circumstances to get our attention. There can always be a “welcome home” party for us in God’s eyes.

Author of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, J.R.R. Tolkien, once wrote, 

Read the rest at the Syracuse Post-Standard website.

The post Lost or Discover? first appeared on Alan Rudnick.

We often look at our negative circumstances in life and believe certain events are the final. Illness, loss of employment, a bad review, or a broken relationship can make us view life as bleak. However, what if God is at work in the seemingly unfortunate events in life?

Long ago, there once was a farmer who depended on a horse to work the land. Unfortunately, a lightning storm frightened the horse, and it ran away. The farmer searched for the horse for weeks but could not find it. His friends said, “Sorry you lost your horse. Bad luck.”

Read the rest on Syracuse Post-Standard.

The post Bad luck or good luck? Who knows? first appeared on Alan Rudnick.

As churches emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, I often hear congregational leaders and pastors ask one another, “What’s next?  What do we need to do?” Typical responses often center on the church becoming more digitally available to people. Indeed, churches have made essential investments in livestreaming worship, Zoom facilitation of small groups, technology, and making ministry programs more accessible. This is a pipeline approach: finding the direct vehicle to deliver religious and spiritual content.

As much as access to the internet has changed the way people relate to one another, work, live, and experience the world, the moveable type printing press has had an equal, if not greater, impact in the way people have access to information. The internet is over 40 years old, but the moveable printing press is over 500 years old. Much like the internet, the flow of information via a moveable type printing press made access to information economical and widespread in previous centuries. Christians saw the new technology as a way to share Christianity with the masses. Widespread efforts in literacy helped fuel the Protestant Reformation in Europe. The moveable type printing press enabled a free exchange of ideas and Christian theology, which were not available to the masses previously. The moveable type printing press disrupted the theological pipeline monopoly of the Catholic Church.

Most mainline churches, without realizing it, are accustomed to a pipeline approach to ministry. The denominational system is a pipeline, where the denomination is the source of religious goods and services, and the congregation and the people are the end users. This system of pipeline delivery worked well for the 20th century, but as many know, the ecclesiastical pipeline system is no longer providing what churches need as congregations see declines in church affiliation and attendance. 

What is emerging now for congregations and Christian communities is an evolution that does not see the local congregation as the end of the relational pipeline of denominations but sees the congregation as a spiritual platform.

Read the rest at The Christian Citizen.

The post The post-pandemic church: Moving from pipeline to platform for ministry first appeared on Alan Rudnick.

Of all the United States Presidents, only Jimmy Carter was a Sunday School teacher AND President at the same time. On Sundays, Jimmy Carter would travel nine blocks to the First Baptist Church of Washington D.C to gather attendees to study scripture. Often not publicized, Carter would teach about 30 attendees lessons from the Bible and also offer counsel to anyone who requested. Decades later, Carter still teaches Sunday School for up to 450 people at his church in Plains, GA. It should surprise no one that Carter would lend his pen to the Simple Faith Bible: Following Jesus into a Life of Peace, Compassion, and Wholeness New Revised Standard Verison offering devotional insights and spiritual commentary.

Why should you consider this Bible?

With critical praise from Richard J. Foster, Barbara Brown Taylor, and William H. Willimon, the Simple Faith Bible offers over 600 book introductions, insights, theological reflections, spiritual thoughts, and call-out phrases to help the reader understand biblical context. In this hardback Bible (also available in leather), the 9.5 font text is easy to read (maybe more challenging for the vision impaired) with dark text and spacing that assists with reading. Carter also provides points to “ponder” and “pray” that leads readers to not only read the text but also in the spirit of lectio divina, interact with God’s holy word.

For major biblical thematic concepts or Christian doctrine, there are sections entitled “Bible in Focus” in which Carter interpretation for understanding and life application. For instance, commentary and context is provided for the Book of Amos in which the reader learns the complicated situation of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Israel. A comparison is made between our personal lives and Israel’s situation. Also, there are sections entitled, “Bible in Life” which centers passages around spiritual reflection. There are the standard Bible headings that editors place in the passage to give thematic organization (e.g. Job and His Family, Attack on Job’s Character, etc…) The Bible features standard manuscript variations that are included in many other Bibles which note other ancient authority translation or manuscript wording.

The reflections and comments from Carter are in his typical style of deep commitment to Jesus Christ, love of God, love of neighbor (whoever they might be), and care for the community. In one of the “Bible in Life” commentaries on 1 Corinthians 9, Carter connects Paul’s identity as a Jew, Roman, and Christian with the call for Christians to commit to Christ and compassion for others. The key to this passage, as the former president, writes is found, “when we identify ourselves with other people, they will be more likely to listen to us. This is an important attribute of human life – defining common ground on which to communicate better.” (1376)

Indeed, for some, Carter does not fit the mold of the Evangelical Christian committed to specific political causes. Still, as many have commented, Carter fits in the cultural “other” category of Christian. We will not find an exegesis for a Bible passage, which translates into hardline conservative viewpoints that fit neatly into political talking points of the Religious Right. Then again, President Carter has never been a divider but an uniter. Carter is perhaps the most visible individual associated with the common good organization Habitat for Humanity. Such compassion and work towards creative solutions to address homelessness is a mantle that Carter wears well.

If you are looking for a devotional Bible that provides thoughtful insight into action towards compassion, peace, and transformation, this Bible is for you. The Simple Faith Bible is not a study Bible which provides deeper historical information, concordance, maps, notes on original language, and exegesis. The Simple Faith Bible provides a focused Christian spiritual path for the reader to take seriously the love of God and love of others. Like President Jimmy Carter’s work towards peace and wholeness, this devotional Bible will direct believers towards the work of transformation of self and the world through the way of Christ’s love.

The publisher provided copy of the above book and is featured in conjuncture with BibleGateway.com as a BG2 content provider and partner.

The post Book Review: Simple Faith Bible NRSV – Reflections from Jimmy Carter first appeared on Alan Rudnick.

Transitional times, liminal times, like we are experiencing during the Coronavirus pandemic and crisis, are never marked with clear delineations. Transitions and crises are often bumpy, fraught with mistakes, and require high amounts of energy.

It is during times of national crisis, coronavirus, or personal crisis times we discover that we don’t know what’s next?

This is called “Liminal space” The word “liminal” comes from the Latin word limens, which means, “threshold.” 

The post Living into the liminal first appeared on Alan Rudnick.

The post God The Ingenious Alchemist and The Path of Healing first appeared on Alan Rudnick.

Lord, in this time of anxiety, fear, and isolation, we come to you for support, encouragement, and direction. We lay our worried minds and troubled souls before you and in your care in prayer during the coronavirus. We are mindful of the words of the psalmist, “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). Today, we ask for your Spirit to be close to those who are afflicted and those who have lost loved ones due to the coronavirus. We ask for that same Spirit to be with them and us in uncertain times. Help calm our mind and soul. May your peace that surpasses all comprehension guard our hearts and minds.  

We confess that at times we allow fear, not faith, to overtake us. We have not loved you, O God, and our neighbor with our words and deeds. Holy Spirit, aid us in our love and compassion of those who live next door and those who live on the other side of town.   

God of compassion and grace, we cling to your Word and your presence in our homes, our church, and community. Just as Jesus visited towns and villages to cure the sick and infirm, we place our faith and hope in your healing power. May your divine love come down upon us and our world to end the spread of this pandemic. Strengthen those who are ill and uplift the downtrodden. Heal the sick and comfort the lowly this day. Carry in care those who are abroad and return our loved ones home safely.

For our leaders, O Lord, we ask that your great wisdom may be instilled with them. As our national and local leaders seek protection and safety for the public, help guide their decisions and actions. We pray for the leaders of every nation. May each country receive every human resource and divine resource to combat this great ill.

Great Physician, may your hand be upon every doctor, nurse, and health care worker as they care for the sick. Lift up and care for these men and women risking and sometimes sacrificing their very lives for the public good. Guard and defend them against every harm.

Lord Christ, you are our rock and salvation in distress, worry, and doubt. Just as the light shines bright upon sunrise, we pray your light of love and guidance shines bright in our hearts and minds. May we carry your light into the world, which you love so deeply, so that we may be the bearers of your grace. Give us, Eternal Father, your peace. May the words of the prophet Isaiah be true for us this day: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

In the name of our Lord Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.   

Published at The Christian Citizen

The post Prayer for Coronavirus first appeared on Alan Rudnick.

Although not as common as it was for generations in Baptist life, one can still hear church members refer to one another as sister or brother, such as “Sister Smith” or “Brother Jones.” These titles, indicators of respect, esteem and mutuality, also reflect our identity as members of the household of God.

A public conflict between a “brother” and “sister” in the Christian community recently garnered headlines in national religious media. I was not shocked when I heard that popular conservative preacher and author John MacArthur, speaking at a Southern Baptist conference, did not affirm women in the pulpit.

I was shocked, however, when he was asked during a question-and-answer session to comment on Beth Moore’s ministry of teaching and preaching. He responded with two words directed to Moore:  READ THE REST AT BAPTIST NEWS GLOBAL.

The post Sister, don’t ‘go home’, Go preach! first appeared on Alan Rudnick.

Recently my Facebook feed was full of expressions of grief, support, and lament over two very public deaths. Both people were active in bringing a focus on mental health issues in communities. One was a professor of counseling, and the other was a well-known West Coast pastor, Jarrid Wilson. Both deaths were suicides. These two people join the list of very public suicides in recent years, including fashion designer Kate Spade, chef Anthony Bourdain, and comedian Robin Williams.

The above names and their stories are anecdotal evidence of statistics that are shocking. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States alone in 2017… Read the rest at The Christian Citizen

The post Giving mental health awareness the right place in church first appeared on Alan Rudnick.

I share my perspective on rapper Lecrae’s baptism with Jeff Brumley of Baptist News Global:

An American hip-hop artist’s rebaptism in the Jordan River last month sparked conversations ranging in nature from mean-spirited to theologically reflective.

“Can’t be baptized in the Jordan river and make the same old music. This new album is gonna be special,” rapper Lecrae said in a Sept. 19 tweet in which he also shared a video of the experience.

Some responded with praise. But others said rebaptism, even in the Jordan, is religiously unnecessary. Some labeled it a publicity stunt to sell music.

The entertainer was unruffled, responding to naysayers with some theology of his own: “1. it’s a Mikvah,” referencing a Jewish ritual bath. “2. Jesus was God already and still was baptized… 

BGN

Continuing reading at Baptist News Global

The post Rapper’s rebaptism in the Jordan River first appeared on Alan Rudnick.

As adults, we don’t want to be at the “kids table” – do we?

Have you ever went to a wedding reception or a fundraiser dinner only to find that your seats are way in the back away from the head table? You can’t really see or hear what’s going on at the head table and you miss all “the action” of what the important people are doing. Maybe you get your food last! You don’t get to brush shoulders with the hosts or people you’d really like to interact with. Jesus once addressed this type of situation: when you are invited to a big dinner, don’t go out of your way to get the best seats. In fact, when you host a banquet, don’t invite the upstanding important people who are the “in-crowd”, instead invite the lowly. To Jesus, this makes God’s kingdom real and visible – but why? Why do this? Why should we be eating at the reception equivalent of the kid’s table at Thanksgiving?

The truth is centered in this: God wants us to live life at the kid’s table of life. Life is happening at the low, humble, and least-of-these places that require our love, grace, hospitality, and attention. We can be the presence of God to another when we place ourselves at the little tables of life.  These moments are holy moments. Lives can be changed when we humble ourselves and place ourselves at the place where we are needed most – not where we most want to be. 

I choose to believe that there is nothing more sacred or profound than this day. I choose to believe that there may be a thousand big moments embedded in this day, waiting to be discovered like tiny shards of gold. The big moments are the daily, tiny moments of courage and forgiveness and hope that we grab on to and extend to one another. That’s the drama of life, swirling all around us, and generally I don’t even see it, because I’m too busy waiting to become whatever it is I think I am about to become. The big moments are in every hour, every conversation, every meal, every meeting

Shauna Niequist, Cold Tangerines: Celebrating the Extraordinary Nature of Everyday Life

The post Podcast: Living Life at the Kids Table first appeared on Alan Rudnick.

Rev. Alan R. Rudnick – Journeying Through James: Do Words Have Power?

James 3:

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. ² We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

³ When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. ⁴ Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. ⁵ Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶ The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

⁷ All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, ⁸ but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

⁹ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. ¹¹ Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? ¹² My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

The post Podcast: Do words have power? first appeared on Alan Rudnick.