An ode to our columnists

Once or twice each year, I use this email to praise our magazine’s Voices columnists. After having the chance to chat with one of our most beloved columnists about the art of preaching, I felt like this would be one of those weeks. I think what I so appreciate about our slate of regular writers is the diversity and variety of their perspectives and, well, their voices. Scholars, pastors, and writers who are Anglican or Lutheran or Baptist or Mennonite or no longer practicing Christianity, they write about topics ranging from substitutionary atonement theory to science fiction novels to the joys of raising chickens.

In addition to the new Voices video, we have a couple of great new columns. Julian DeShazier considers the problems of uneven volunteer leadership at church and explores a new approach. Philip Jenkins reveals some of the actual history of Gnostic gospels—which is quite different from their treatment in Dan Brown novels.

Plus scroll down for an essay about a priest who mastered haiku, an interview with a leader in faith-based reproductive rights activism, and more.

Email me: Who are your favorite CC writers?

Jon Mathieu
[email protected]

Jon chats with CC Voices columnist Sam Wells about some of the most important factors in crafting sermons.

The 80/20 rule is a problem for churches

“We decided that just this once we’d frame an action not as the work of a few on our behalf but as something the entire church would be helping with. We obviously needed some folks to help coordinate logistics, but they were going to shape the work for the rest of us, not do it all themselves.”

Were the lost gospels really lost?

“Students of church history may know about heretical movements like the followers of Marcion and Bardaisan. But most would be surprised to read Islamic writers of the 11th century who remarked on the gospels attributed to those ancient heretical leaders, which were still circulating freely.”

In the Lectionary for January 14 (Epiphany 2B)

Jesus’ word of insight to Nathanael seems a lot like a carnival grift.

The Iowa poet-priest who mastered haiku

“Mother, why is
Father dying on the cross
in our cornfield?”
– Raymond Roseliep

by Robert Hirschfield

Seeing abortion access as a blessing

“For me, the pro-choice/pro-life labels aren’t especially helpful. They’re abstract. What I am is pro people’s abortion stories and pro allowing the person in front of me to name what the experience means for them.”

Annelisa Burns interviews Katey Zeh