A community of readers and writers

I love this job. It brings together some of my favorite things in the world: writing, theology, and (to the point of this brief reflection) people. I get to hear the remarkable stories and learn from the profound wisdom of our readers around the world. Thanks to those of you who respond to my weekly Editors’ Picks questions, and to those who write us letters to the editor in response to our content.

And our writers! I not only look forward to reading their articles in each new issue, but I have had the chance to get to know some of them by chatting with them for our YouTube channel. These talks are always delightful, but our most recent video is special. Columnist Brian Bantum opens up about God bringing life to the dead parts of our lives, sharing vulnerable stories from his own journey.

More great human stories from human people below. Scroll down for Julian DeShazier reflecting on a graduation ceremony in a prison—and how much it reminded him of church. Plus a book review about fake news in evangelicalism, a poem about a father’s time at a Lutheran boarding school, and more great content.

Email me: What is your favorite part of your vocation?

Jon Mathieu
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“The absence of clocks is another thing sanctuaries and carceral spaces share. Have you ever noticed that? No clocks anywhere.”

Fake news at church

“These three timely, largely jargon-free books should be read by all pastors and Sunday school teachers as well as professors and students of theology.”

VIDEO: Brian Bantum on God restoring life from death

Jon chats with columnist Brian Bantum about Luke 7, miracles, and the everyday work of God to bring life where there was once death.

In the Lectionary for November 5 (Ordinary 31A)

Such an unbelievable and far-fetched plan. And yet the people believe Joshua.

A poet converted by her own writing

“Denise Levertov’s care and even reverence for the human body preceded her conversion and informed both her politics and her poetry, leading her to a life of activism.”

by Lynn Domina

Half a Heritage

“And then there’s Dad, sent off
at twelve to boarding school
where he learned the rudiments
of Lutheran theology and how

to do his own laundry and how
to smoke a pack a day . . .”

poem by Mary M. Brown