The Preacher’s Role During Natural Disasters

“Leave God … out of discussion about Haiti” stated the second-page headline in Kathleen Parker’s syndicated column. She was reacting, of course, to public comments by TV evangelist Pat Robertson, who connected the earthquake in Haiti to the...

One limb at a time

Big jobs appear completely overwhelming when you think about the project as a whole: sometimes it helps to realize that even the largest project consists of many smaller jobs that have to be done. Whether it’s building a house or writing a book, you have to...

When Anxiety Attacks, Do Churches Help or Hinder?

For some people, 2009 was a genuinely difficult year. I’m thinking of 10 individuals whom I will not name but will describe. All are, or have been, friends in local congregations. You certainly could make up your own list. One is a recent college graduate who...

Racial Profiling: Security or Civil Liberty Violation?

In the wake of recent events like the Arkansas recruiting station shooting, the shootings at Fort Hood and the failed bombing of Northwestern Flight 253, many conservative politicians are calling for the government to expand the use of racial profiling for the...

On valuing human life

The death toll is still growing and projections of loss remain largely guesswork some three full days since a major earthquake hit the capital of Haiti. Despite logistical challenges, help is pouring in from many places.Two former U.S. presidents with divergent...