New CC content on culture change, choosing hope, “Amazing Grace,” and more.
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** Going deeper
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If you’re reading this, you are on our Editors’ Picks email list. Thank you for being part of the Century! You may not know about our other email lists—especially our newest one, Going Deeper. This free weekly resource delivers two recent articles along with discussion questions, related CC content, and recommended scripture passages. While it can be used for personal reflection, it is designed to be used in group settings.
My online faith community hosts a Going Deeper discussion every Sunday morning. This past weekend, we had a fruitful conversation about the themes in Richard Kauffman’s essay about church culture. We considered the formal and informal rules, roles, rituals, and roots ([link removed]) that shape the culture of our community and other congregations to which we’ve belonged. (Click here to sign up for Going Deeper emails ([link removed]) .)
I’m also thrilled to share our latest Readers Write essay contest winners. Here are our favorite submitted essays ([link removed]) about the one-word prompt Gap. (Click here for info on our next contest ([link removed]) .) Plus scroll down for more great content, including an essay from Peter Marty on the decision to hope ([link removed]) , a book review by Jeffrey Johnson about a beloved hymn ([link removed]) , and more.
Email me: How would you describe the culture of your faith community?
Jon Mathieu
Click to email me (mailto:
[email protected]?subject=Re%3A%20Editors%E2%80%99%20Picks)
Click to schedule a Friday lunch chat with me ([link removed]) [many spots now open!]
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** How can a congregation change its culture? ([link removed])
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“Church structure is important. But church culture matters, too: it’s what makes any organization a living organism.”
by Richard A. Kauffman
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** Essays by readers: Gap ([link removed])
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“My children are thriving in so many ways, but they do not know the joy of spending summers with grandma and great-grandma. They know so much, but they do not know fun summer days ripping and running with their cousins from down the street. They are not living as I lived.” —Raymonda Speller, a winner the contest
by our readers
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** A posture of hope ([link removed])
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“Complaining about life rarely brings satisfying results.”
by Peter W. Marty
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** In the Lectionary for September 22 (Ordinary 25B) ([link removed])
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Rather than rebuke the disciples, Jesus takes a little child by the hand.
by Ron Adams
Ordinary 25B archives ([link removed])
Get even more lectionary resources with Sunday’s Coming Premium, an email newsletter from the editors of the Christian Century. Learn more ([link removed]) .
** Written by the oppressor, sung by the oppressed ([link removed])
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British historian James Walvin traces “Amazing Grace” on its winding journey across racial divisions through the centuries.
review by Jeffrey L. Johnson
** Real Life ([link removed])
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“The painter has grabbed a butter knife
from the nearest table and shoved it
into his Abraham’s hand …”
poem by James Owens
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