May our communication promote a humble view of the world, a truthful tongue, righteous indignation, a heart full of blessings and one that is quick to do good, and honest words that promote unity and community. “There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a …
A Prayer of Clement of Rome, Gratitude for Our Helper and Defender
Clement of Rome We ask you, Master, be our helper and defender. Rescue those of our number in distress; raise up the fallen; assist the needy; heal the sick; turn back those of your people who stray; feed the hungry; release our captives; revive the weak; encourage those who lose heart. Let all the nations realize that you are the …
New Column, Communicating Faith in the Cross-Walk of Life
Column Title: Communicating Faith in the Cross-Walk of Life Column Entry: “Considering Career as Calling” By Robert Stephen Reid, Professor Emeritus, University of Dubuque Description: During most of Christendom people lived with some form of a theistic identity. But in our post-Christendom secular society most North American Christians are faced, sometimes explicitly but mostly implicitly, with a daily choice of …
New Column, Leadership Life Stories, by Chris Hamstra
Column Title: Leadership Life Stories: Communicating and Leading through Your Story Column Entry: “Introducing Leadership Life Stories: Engaging the Power Of Stories” By Chris Hamstra, PhD, Davenport University Description: There is a power when people come together to share stories. As people of faith, the practice and process of storytelling helps us understand ourselves, our communities, and our organizations. When combined with leadership, …
Column Entry, Fanning the Flame, “The Burden and Beauty of Our Task,” by Joseph Bird
Column Title: Fanning the Flame: Reigniting the Joy of Christian Communication for Pastor, Pew, and Public Column Entry: “The Burden and Beauty of Our Task” By Joseph Bird, PhD, MDiv, William Carey University Column Description: Preaching and teaching are public communication art and science, but never easy. It is especially difficult when we lose the joy we once had to effectively communicate …
Let’s Talk Family, Column Entry, “Let’s Talk Limit-Setting”
Column: Let’s Talk Family: Conversations about Faith and Family Flourishing Column entry: “Let’s Talk Limit-Setting” By Jonathan Pettigrew, PhD, Arizona State University; Diane Badzinski, PhD, Colorado Christian University Column Description: Let’s Talk Family: Conversations about Faith and Family Flourishing is a monthly column offering a space to consider research-based, biblically-sound practices for family communication. We all have families. And we …
Quote of the Week, Jesus and Crisis Language, by Eugene Peterson
“But it is interesting and significant that Jesus doesn’t use crisis language. He speaks conversationally, hardly raising his voice. Mostly, he tells stories.” —Eugene Peterson, Tell It Slant: A Conversation on the Language of Jesus in His Stories and Prayers, p. 16. (Amazon Associates Link)
Column Entry, Refusing “Godlike” Power: A Lenten Reflection, by John Hatch
Column title: Crossed My Mind: Thoughts on Culture and Communication Column entry: Refusing “Godlike” Power: A Lenten Reflection By John Hatch, Ph.D. Eastern University (retired) CCSN Senior Fellow Column Description: As Christians, we are called to have the mind of Christ. This goes against the grain of our social and cultural conditioning. We seek personal or political advancement; Christ seeks …
A Prayer of Origen, an Overbold Prayer for Jesus to Wash Our Feet
A Prayer of Origen Jesus, my feet are dirty. Come even as a slave to me, pour water into your bowl, come and wash my feet. In asking such a thing I know I am overbold, but I dread what was threatened when you said to me, “If I do not wash your feet I have no fellowship with you.” …
Book of Interest, FDR and the Foundations of American Insecurity, by Chernus and Fowler
[From the Author] “The book addresses the role Christianity played in Roosevelt’s foreign policy and domestic rhetoric during his political career prior to the presidency (1912-1932) as well as during the New Deal era. While the book is not overtly about Christianity, it very much outlines the cocktail of various ideologies (Christianity included) that FDR blended and deployed over the …
