Who in the World Are We?

Death and Real Life: Eyes Wide Open

Laura — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 22:24:42 +0000

My first real memory of death is that of my beautiful green parakeet, Misha Monroe MacArthur, at the jaws of the family Dachshund. Other family pets had died before, but this was the first time my pet had died. I … Continue reading →

Can we counter the short-timer mentality in ministry?

Laura — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 21:02:58 +0000

What keeps a person in long-term ministry at a particular church? While the answer is no doubt complex, and probably out of our direct control, I suggest that a major influence is the nature of that person’s connection to the … Continue reading →

Stop Pursuing Spiritual Growth and Start Loving Christ!

Laura — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 15:00:09 +0000

In 2009, our church’s motto was, “Passionately pursuing spiritual growth in Christ.” For most of the year, I thought this was a very good motto. On the Sunday that my mind changed, I sat in my normal spot doing my … Continue reading →

Why this illogical silence?

Laura — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 13:42:49 +0000

connected by nature and design intertwined by life we, humanity one yet two some in Adam some in Christ some choosing separation some chosen for life we in Christ carry hope this story of suffering of sacrifice of unimaginable price … Continue reading →

Life Insists Upon Itself

Laura — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 21:00:38 +0000

I walk a lot. These things happen when you are a transit commuter. Heightened Sensitivity The past week or so, my sensitivity heightened by flowers emerging from sand bags, I have been noticing sundry plants growing in and through pavement. … Continue reading →

Becoming human: Face to face with God?

Laura — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:00:36 +0000

Thesis: We become more fully human by seeing our reflection in the face of God in the face of the other. Where do we see the face of God? The first place humans encounter the face of God is when … Continue reading →

Being Church: Connection, Participation, and Process

Laura — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:59:49 +0000

Consider: When do you see the body, building, and bride images in your local congregation? Church as Body Church as Building Church as Bride As church, are we a gathering of like-minded Christians? Are we a social club? Are we … Continue reading →

We bring ourselves with us to the dialogue

Laura — Wed, 18 May 2011 18:59:54 +0000

Christians are siblings in Christ and followers of Christ: we are one in him. Yet, there are barriers that make gathering difficult. We encounter these barriers when we gather with Christians from different cultures or traditions. We encounter them when … Continue reading →

The outcome of scholarship must not remain a pile of verbiage, however eloquent

Laura — Tue, 17 May 2011 15:00:47 +0000

In 2010, I completed the StrengthsFinder assessment tool. The results were enlightening, though not surprising (for me or those who know me–a testament to its usefulness): learner intellection input ideation strategic The thing about strengths is that what is designed … Continue reading →

Reading is so much more than lapping up goodness

Laura — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 20:02:30 +0000

Writing is thinking: I’ve hear it often and I agree, but what about reading? To ‘fess up a bit, I’ve too often and for too long treated reading as mere input. As I’ve moved along in my doctoral program, the … Continue reading →