Gil Rendle Rowman & Littlefield, 304 pages Reviewed by Allen D. Timm A pastor introduced herself to the principal of the high school, who asked if she knew of any opportunities for her students to serve the community. A local imam asked the same of his congregants. The church was hosting an overnight shelter, and they joined the project. The church became a catalyst for change in her community. This story illustrates Gil Rendle’s “Quietly Courageous.” It picks up where “Doing the Math of Mission” leaves off. Rendle builds on his work for the Texas Methodist Foundation to provide leadership for the church. So what is his contribution? Here is his central point: Churches pay their pastors to serve their own church, not to find ways to lift and serve their community. Rendle says that while providing leadership inside the church to nurture its members, pastors must also serve quietly outside the church. They must build relationships with others who want to change their … [Read more...]
What’s right about Pipe Creek Presbyterian Church?
Pipe Creek Presbyterian Church — Pipe Creek, Texas Pipe Creek Presbyterian Church dedicated 100 prayer quilts in 2018 to people in times of sickness, heartache, uncertainty and even joy. Quilters gather each Monday to create beautiful quilts in a wide variety of colors, patterns and themes. No two quilts are alike! Known as “tied quilts,” the front and back are bound through strands of thread that are tied in knots on the front. The quilts are then dedicated at the beginning of worship on Sunday morning. Prayer quilts contain the prayers of the people who cut the fabric, assemble the quilt and tie the knots during worship – prayers are literally part of fabric of these unique quilts. Pipe Creek’s ministry brings a deep sense of unity and faith, and embody God’s compassion and love. – Duane Manning, pastor Share your 150-word story of “what’s right” with the Outlook by emailing it to [email protected] … [Read more...]
More than pink and blue blankets
“Oh, I love this gray blanket!” said the new young mother. As the newly hired director of children and family ministries, I was paying a visit to a family with a newborn. I had brought a selection of blankets that had been lovingly created by the church knitting group, and I intentionally had brought along this recently completed gray-and-white blanket in addition to the selection of traditional pinks and blues. The new mother continued: “This is perfect. We did the nursery in neutrals.” I smiled inside and then outwardly as I handed her this handmade gift from the church. As the parent of a transgender child, my own vision and sense of compassion has broadened even in the simplest of ways as I am drawn to honor the diversity of all human beings. This even includes newborn babies. I cannot in good conscience show up to visit a newborn with only a choice of pink or blue blankets from the church. There must be more, whether it’s creamy off-white, or gray-and-white (by far the current … [Read more...]
Jason Pope
“I want to keep breaking bread with you. I want to live in a community again that eats and works and plays hard together. I know you’re out there. I’ve already found some of you. Or you’ve found me. And I love you for that.” – Jason Pope, on why he started a food truck (in Bitter Southerner) … [Read more...]
50 years ago
50 years ago — March 31, 1969 The issue of separation of church and state once again emerged when state proposals attempted to financially assist parochial schools. “The public school systems are those which are open to all children, regardless of class, race or religious affiliation; paid for by all citizens regardless of class, race or religious affiliation; and supervised, controlled, and criticized by all citizens regardless of class, race or religious affiliation. … [They] constitute in a pluralistic society, to borrow Jefferson’s felicitous term, one of our ‘elementary republics’ in which American children begin their adventure in free government. It is in the public school systems that we come to know one another out of our various traditions, respect one another as persons, and begin to work out some of our problems together in producing, hopefully, a responsible citizenry.” Religious liberty not only includes protection against one person having to support another person’s … [Read more...]
What’s right about West Plano Presbyterian Church?
West Plano Presbyterian Church — Plano, Texas Five years ago, the worship and formation ministry team at West Plano Presbyterian Church launched a re-imagining of Vacation Bible School. They gathered a planning team and designed an expeditionary, experiential camp for children ages 3 to entering fifth grade. Last summer, we welcomed 40 campers from the congregation and community for a three-day camp experience at no charge to participants. Each year, the planning team, working with pastor David Batchelder, develops a camp experience with a different focus. The theme for 2018 was “God’s Love, Our Hands,” emphasizing that God’s power acts through the community’s hands and that we are in solidarity with God. We incorporate music, Scripture, prayer, stories, mission, baking, gardening and crafts that help form kids’ faith. Young children, youth helpers and adult volunteers experience and learn together so that at the end of the camp, all have shared in the formation. – Jenny … [Read more...]
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