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Ask the Thoughtful Pastor: Clergy Appreciation Month and Reluctant Communicant
Dear Thoughtful Pastor: As a pastor, I have come to dread “Pastor Appreciation Month,” because it quickly becomes “Pastor EVALUATION Month,” where people express their resentments. I’ve spent three...
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Ask the Thoughtful Pastor: Atonement and Salvation
Two similar questions for the Thoughtful Pastor today from theologically deep thinkers. Dear Thoughtful Pastor: “What was the saving work that was accomplished on the cross? The Penal Substitutionary...
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Ask the Thoughtful Pastor: Prosperity Gospel and The Consumer-Driven Church
Dear Thoughtful Pastor: My family and I have broken free from a Prosperity Gospel Church.I’m curious why so many people: A) Don’t see Prosperity Gospel for what it is, a money making business? B)...
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Ask the Thoughtful Pastor: Persecution of Jews and Description of Heaven
Dear Thoughtful Pastor: Why don’t people like the Jews? Certainly in recent history (say the last 1,500 years) they have been persecuted more than any other group from what I can recall. Could it be...
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To Trust in The Lord
Most of us can agree on major goals. For the church, it is “Love God with all your heart, mind, strength and soul and love your neighbor as yourself” and “Make disciples of Jesus Christ for the...
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Ask the Thoughtful Pastor: Christmas Coffee Cups and Protestant Splinters
Dear Thoughtful Pastor: “There are obviously bigger issues for Christians than whether or not Starbucks celebrates Christmas in any shape or form. Why are so many so upset, what is it that they are...
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The UMC At the Crossroads: Elitism or Inclusion–or Holy Love?
“Nothing, I would argue, is more effective at driving people away from religion than watching its most elite representatives—the whitest, malest, straightest, most educated, with the biggest...
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Exodus and Secrecy: Mormons Now, UMC’s Later?
A mass resignation of members from the Mormon church is expected to happen Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, over the newly seen rules that essentially ban children of same-sex parents from participating in any...
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Ask the Thoughtful Pastor: Forced Rehab and Misplaced Forgiveness
Dear Thoughtful Pastor: Is it possible to force a person into rehab? My mom confronted my sister about her drug problem again. Of course my sister continues to deny it even though we all know she is...
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Ask the Thoughtful Pastor: Justice Issues and Heaven for Pets
Dear Thoughtful Pastor: How can “the church” as an institution address or correct social/economic injustices based on race both within the church and in society? How can the church itself restructure...
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Ask the Thoughtful Pastor: Fear-based Lives and Health Care Disasters
Dear Thoughtful Pastor: One thing is abundantly clear as I read my newsfeed on social media and the 24-hour news cycle: Much of the world is in fear. When I think about fear in the Bible, I mostly...
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Ask the Thoughtful Pastor: Theology Matters, Especially ISIS Theology
Dear Thoughtful Pastor: I have been wondering what it is about the Islamic religion that justifies the actions taken against innocent civilians? Certainly people have been making war on each other for...
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Ask the Thoughtful Pastor: Public Hypocrites and The Way of Jesus
Dear Thoughtful Pastor: I have a question about praying in public and the scripture verse from Matthew 6:5. There is a man that dresses in a bright neon yellow robe at night. I’ve seen him in the...
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December Sadness and the Timing of Christmas
This time of year has always been tough for me, and Christmas is anything but a favorite holiday. In my growing up years, it was a time of growing tension yearly between my mom and dad. I, as the...
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Ask the Thoughtful Pastor: Disaster Tourists and Changing the Paths of Tornadoes
What motivates people to show up after disasters to do the rubber-necking thing? I call them “disaster tourists” because they cause huge congestion and keep the trained workers from doing what must be...
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Ask the Thoughtful Pastor: Hate the Sin of Homosexuality or Assume Truth?
How can conservative Christians who believe that homosexuality is a sin support and show respect to their gay family members, coworkers, and friends in ways that will not compromise their personal...
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Ask the Thoughtful Pastor: Failed Marriages and Mental Illness
Dear Thoughtful Pastor: How does one trust this institution of marriage after a failed one? Oh, this is a short question heavy with layers of hurt, disappointment, sadness and often despair. I am...
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Ask the Thoughtful Pastor: Facebook Fights and Prayers for the Dead
Dear Thoughtful Pastor: I’m torn between being reactive and being Christian and taking the ‘high road’. My predicament. Last night as I reviewed my Facebook News Feed, I saw a friend’s post and...
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Ask the Thoughtful Pastor: Why Can’t We Have an Ideology like ISIS?
Dear Thoughtful Pastor: Is there or should there be a push for an inter-faith message transmitted via sophisticated communication media that counters the narrative ISIS is using to seduce young people?...
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When Theology Drives a Presidential Race, It is Time to be Scared
We passed a campaign sign for a local race that read “Protect Your Religious Liberties. Vote for . . . ” I turn to my husband and said, “As one who has sought to live as Christianly as possible all …
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