Posts Tagged: mark roth

Unglued Church

Shake the dust off your feet When it’s time to move on in ministry By Mark Roth   British anthropologist Robin Dunbar suggested 20 years ago that most human beings’ social groups number about 150 people, which matches the typical size of ancient hunter-gatherer tribes. The idea behind the Dunbar number, as it came to… Read more »

Unglued church

Is believing enough? Acting in faith requires risk By Mark Roth Once again, verses from the daily reading of the Revised Common Lectionary fell into my lap at just the time I needed it. The writer of James asks: “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do… Read more »

Unglued church

Indulgent practices Have we inadvertently resurrected an old tradition? By Mark Roth As I began to write this entry, we had just celebrated Reformation Sunday, which commemorates Martin Luther’s posting of his 95 theses in Wittenberg, Germany, in October 1517. So, confession time. I grew up Lutheran, but had never read through the theses, despite all… Read more »

Unglued church

Walking the walk Staying faithful in the face of challenges By Mark Roth Recently, I’ve had the chance to meet with the leaders of several congregations. I have brought with me one simple question: What most excites you or challenges you about your church? The answers have been amazing: diverse, honest and optimistic amid the fears…. Read more »

Unglued church

Writing my father’s obituary Can our churches learn from the process? By Mark Roth My father died in April. He was 94, and outlived my mother by just five weeks. When he learned he had chronic kidney failure, he chose not to go through dialysis, and agreed to use hospice services instead. As hard as… Read more »