Back to Top

All Articles

 

#CRClistens: Dialogue as a Hopeful Practice

Posted: May 13, 2016

I’m grateful to have been invited to contribute to this series on “How to stay in conversation with the ‘Other Side’.” As our congregations in the CRC become increasingly diverse, this is an essential question.

Read More
 

Advocacy Works!

Posted: May 9, 2016

When I began working as the Policy Analyst and Advocacy fellow in August, advocacy was a new practice for me. It seemed daunting.

Read More
 

#CRClistens: 3 Guidelines for Dialogue on Social Media

Posted: May 6, 2016

When you throw verses at someone and tell them that their role in the church is not ‘true to scripture,’ what you are saying is, “Nope, God is not calling you to do what you think you are being called to do or be who you think God is calling you to be.” Scripture should be our guide. Absolutely. As you are guided by Scripture, be aware that the “cost” of a certain interpretation of Scripture may be much higher for someone else than it is for you.

Read More
 

Medical Assistance in Dying: Venturing into the Shallow End

Posted: May 2, 2016

When I was a tyke, my older sisters had one key responsibility on summer vacation. Make sure the boy did not drown in the hotel pool.

Read More
 

#CRClistens: 3 Key Insights for Having Difficult, Honest Conversations

Posted: April 29, 2016

A great song by African-American composer V. Michael McKay called “Koinonia,” goes like this: 

How can I say that I love the Lord,

whom I’ve never ever seen before,

Read More
 

#CRClistens: Ordinary Acts of Love

Posted: April 25, 2016

One of the most troubling realities of my life has been my deep differences with some of the people I love most. When it comes to some of what I feel with the most intensity, believe with the strongest conviction, care about most deeply, I have had to accept that these beloved ones are not going to change – and neither am I. 

Read More
 

An Earth Day for the Ages

Posted: April 22, 2016

Unless you’ve been on a media fast for the last 6 months, chances are you have heard something about the Paris climate talks.You may have thought that the adoption of the

Read More
 

Learning from Indigenous Peoples - Sharing Circles

Posted: April 18, 2016

I realized that for many or most of these participants this sharing circle was the first time they had the space to really tell their story or cry out for answers. 

Read More
 

#CRClistens: Finding Grace on the Internet

Posted: April 15, 2016

The Internet does not have a good reputation for encouraging civil conversation and thoughtful dialogue. It’s a place where people can spew hatred, vilify their opponents, and generally behave in unfortunate ways.

Read More
 

Climate Change and the Roots of the Syrian Refugee Crisis

Posted: April 11, 2016

From 2006 – 2010, the country of Syria suffered the most severe drought ever recorded. Climatologists maintain that this drought was exacerbated by climate change: crops and animals died, and an estimated 1.5 million Syrian farmers were displaced. Food insecurity, economic depression, and social instability contributed sparks to the explosion of chaos now infecting the entire Middle East.

Read More

Pages