Anabaptist and Quaker essays, sermons, and other writings
A Global Church Church of the Brethren history and tradition are transnational in their essence. Since the Radical Reformation and the formation of the church in Germany, which then expanded to the United States, and later to other countries throughout the world, the Brethren have always had a cross-border and […]
“Peace is at the heart of the gospel. As followers of Jesus in a divided and violent world, we are committed to finding non-violent alternatives and to learning how to make peace between individuals, within and among churches, in society, and between nations.” “Belief that the gospel includes a commitment […]
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, […]
I share two poems centering my Palestinian identity and experience. As a Palestinian Christian, I aspire to walk in Jesus’ footsteps in challenging oppression, empire, and occupation. I provide an introduction to Palestine for readers to better understand the context of the poems. I first provide a brief introduction to […]
There was a time I spoke about Christian’s attitude towards work to high school students. So, in the introduction, I asked the students to get tools for work and go out to the field to cut the grass. Before I finished giving them instructions on what we were supposed to […]
When any of you has a grievance against another, do you dare to take it to court before the unrighteous, instead of taking it before the saints? 2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are […]
A few weeks ago in worship, my congregation allowed me to forego a traditional sermon. Instead, after the scripture was read from John 3:1-21, I came out in one of those ridiculous Bible character costumes that have no doubt appeared in many churches. Taking a seat on a raised stool, […]
This month marks six months into my first pastorate. As I continue to settle into my new role as Co-Pastor at Harrisburg First Church of the Brethren and integrate myself into different aspects of the city, I am constantly reminded that there is never a dull moment in urban ministry. […]
As I sat and began to think about what to write for this second article with the goal of some kind of practical equipping, I thought back on some of the most important lessons that I’d learned – some of the most memorable and influential aspects of my spiritual life. […]
The Liberty Bell numbers among our best-known national icons. There is a biblical quote inscribed on the bell: “Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto the inhabitants thereof. Lev. XXV v. X.” Curiously, those words were cast into the bell about a generation before the Declaration of Independence, at a time […]