Who Took Christ Out Of Christmas?

by | Dec 2, 2005 | Opinion

Now that Thanksgiving Day has passed, we face the single most commercialized event in our culture, even more than the Super Bowl. Christmas time is upon us. And when I say commercial, it is serious business. Many stores will see 20 to 30 percent of their annual sales...

Reading the Signs of the Place

by | Dec 1, 2005 | Opinion

Just as I was finishing my book “The Postmodern Parish: New Ministry for a New Era” for the Alban Institute, I received a new call to ministry. For the previous 23 years, I had served as a pastor in two congregations in California. My new call was to a...

‘The Gospel According to Oprah’

by | Nov 30, 2005 | Opinion

Love her or hate her, talk-show host Oprah Winfrey is undeniably a force in American culture and across the world. Her syndicated TV show, magazine, Web sites, book club, charities and more draw the dollars and attention of millions. A strong spiritual current runs...

What Has Happened To My Country?

by | Nov 30, 2005 | Opinion

Lately I feel like a stranger in the United States. I am a remnant of what has been called “the greatest generation,” but it’s not the thinning ranks of my generation that has me feeling lost and confused. It’s the debate about torture that has...