Mind the Gap Closing the space between our values and actions By Susan Rothenberg When my son and I visited London for the first time a few years ago, he was completely fascinated by the London Underground. For weeks prior to our trip, he researched stations, lines, and pretty much had the whole system… Read more »
February 20, 2017
Unglued church
Mind the Gap Closing the space between our values and actions By Susan Rothenberg When my son and I visited London for the first time a few years ago, he was completely fascinated by the London Underground. For weeks prior to our trip, he researched stations, lines, and pretty much had the whole system… Read more »
The power of questions Leaders don’t have to have all the answers By Susan Rothenberg It took me a while to realize that the dumbest question I could ask either of my children is, “How was school today?” If you’re a parent, you already know how a child usually responds: “Fine.” The caring, concerned mom… 
When saying what’s true isn’t enough Faithfully moving forward By Sarah Robbins It’s not enough to say what’s true. Every night before our 11 month old goes to bed, my husband and I tell him what’s true. We list like a litany all the people and categories of folks who love him and pray… 
Let’s begin, again Rituals encourage us to dig deep By Rev. Sarah Robbins I am a creature of habit. I love ritual and routine and the opportunity to experience something again and again. I feel like it helps me to dig deep and truly envelop myself in what someone has written, or created or… 
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… 
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… 
At the end of the rope Caring for God’s legacy By Susan Rothenberg As an adviser for the Unglued Church, a program in Pittsburgh Presbytery for help with church change, I encounter a lot of churches at the end of their rope. It’s a time in a church’s life when it’s important to emphasize the importance of… 
A Garden You Never Get to See Planting seeds for the future By Susan Rothenberg I don’t know much about hip-hop. Until this summer, I didn’t know much about Alexander Hamilton beyond the ten-dollar bill in my wallet. After reading rave reviews of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit Broadway musical, Hamilton, I decided to watch some YouTube… 
Our churches: Originals or old copies? Figuring out who we are as times change By Ayana Teter Recently, I was invited to share my thoughts on the “big-picture” view of my church. I had the honor of sharing in a panel with a group of Presbyterian pastors from the Middle East. As Christians they were… 
Blind Spots Seeing the dents, dings, and beauty by Ayana Teter So it has recently come to my attention that perhaps I’m not the best driver, or parker, to be more precise. I realized this as I was examining my bumper after an altercation with a taller-than-average concrete parking barrier. You see, I was on a pastoral mission…