e-Soundings

Dr. John Cobb says "The liberal church is dying (1)” ....Will you die with it?

In his recent book “Salvation(2)”, Dr. Cobb asks the penetrating question: “What is the (liberal) church doing that you can’t get without going to church (3)” (and he cites his own son as a example of someone who had a... Read more →

The 21st Century "Tsunami": Church survival with an "Ancient/Future" solution... (pt. 2)

Seven things you and your congregation can do after the quarantine. Last week in this Blog, we explored eleven major, profound changes and one foundational societal shift as part of the “Tsunami of Issues” battering us from every side. They were grouped into three areas:  Digital/Tech/Knowledge Revolution, Personal/Family Struggles and Social/Political/Global Issues.                   (Read that Blog here.) Such times of overwhelming crisis have faced us before.  The church in particular, and “religion” in general, have offered a place to stand, some “holy ground” on which to gain a new identity and to be renewed in God’s Holy Spirit. It is from these ancient roots that the “new” solutions to our challenges will arise... Read more →

The 21st Century "Tsunami": Church survival with an "Ancient/Future" solution...

Is your church relevant in the face of such overwhelming issues?  Is there not only comfort in the midst of pain, but hope, healing, reconciliation and wholeness? Are you in touch with these 21st Century concerns?  ...Or are you (and your church) in a “bubble of personal perception” while major issues and concerns that drastically effect people’s lives flood all around you? Read more →

Live Worship: 8 Ways to Help the Reluctant return and New Ones Join In (Pt 2 of 3 on Post-Covid Worship)

It’s all about relationships. Period. Our God is a God that calls us into a deep and profound relationship. It’s called the Kingdom of God/the Realm of Heaven. We become Citizens of Heaven (Phil 3:20) and are welcomed into a... Read more →

Perhaps we need a "system reset" in the United Methodist Church?

Can we all agree that: 1) God loves everyone deeply and individually where they are. 2) The Holy Spirit challenges us all to become much more than where we started. 3) Everyone in the church - ALL sides in this... Read more →

Why a Widow, a single parent, the broken-hearted attend a Marriage Event...

St. Valentine’s day is a cruel holiday. In the shadow of all the pink hearts and flying cupids are scores of people hiding their grief and heartache. Read more →

“Retirement!” - A brand new experience

We've begun a "post-retirement" website:  www.AgapeJourneys.com, that will be the hub of our future activities with all of you.  We hope you visit it and find inspiring things to do for your soul and for your church community.  Read more →

Are you still in Love?... Is the passion for who you love as strong as it once was?

If you are like most of us, you have discarded sports equipment in the garage, unused kitchen gadgets in the cabinets, perfectly good clothes hidden away in the closet waiting for you to fetch them. Even love for people waxes... Read more →

Hints to Power Up Your New Year's Resolutions

All too often we commit the classic mistake of thinking we can do this alone. Of course, that makes it easier to ignore our failures. But in so doing we lose the great power that comes from our community of caring friends. To really succeed in our changes we need a “higher power” and a small group of people around us to hold us accountable to our commitments. Read more →

How Successful are you in changing your life? (What are some Christian steps to change?)

In order to find the courage and strength needed for the long haul of a changed life, we have faith in God’s love through Jesus Christ. Read more →