Ministry Matters - Soul wounds in the Bible | A story through liturgy

Is the excruciating agony of this test God’s fault? Soul wounds in the Bible by Joni Sancken   Genesis 22 is a foundational and challenging text for both the Jewish and the Christian traditions. In Jewish settings, this text is often referred to as “the binding of Isaac” or the Aqedah. In Christian settings we tend to refer to this text as “the sacrifice of Isaac.” It is also a text that can pick at the edges of wounds that some in our congregations carry. Read here

How do we know when to go, and what are we hoping to find? Jesus Unlimited: Why I transitioned my ordination out of the Christian Reformed Church by Keith Mannes   I decided to leave ordained ministry in the Christian Reformed Church over the course of two-and-a-half years, in three overlapping stages. First, I left my congregation to protest religious Trumpism, and, following that, found myself in a spiritual wilderness. Second, I fell into the arms of chaplaincy training, during which a Muslim family, a Hindu man, and an atheist banker helped me find Jesus again. Third, I studied the United Church of Christ, and was captivated by three spiritual concepts—including a story about barnacles—which have helped me find peace and spiritual direction. Read here

How do we best hold together the rich, painful beauty of Holy Week in worship? Holy Week: A story through liturgy by Eric Cooter   “Holy Week” for Christians has been and is just that, the holiest of weeks in our liturgical calendar. The richness of these liturgies move us from “Hosanna” to the “Triduum” to the “Feast.” It is important to understand the history and deep meaning embodied in the ancient rituals of Holy Week, which recall the Passion of Our Lord. Read here

Impossible dreams, new life from death, and the sermon this Sunday Close encounters at the cross in worship this Sunday

Preparing to worship with kids on the Fifth Sunday in Lent