Archive for June, 2011

Language

Posted: June 30, 2011 by Glenn in Christian, inclusion, label, language, nursery rhyme, racism, White Privilege
1

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.  I still remember my mother quoting this nursery rhyme to me after being teased.  It was her way of helping me to get over the hurt of being made fun of.  On one hand she was right.  Being teased did not cause [...]

Evangelism

Posted: June 23, 2011 by Glenn in atlanta, Evangelical, Evangelism, faith, Philippians 2:7
1

One of the most enjoyable aspects of my job is entering into theological discussions with our summer staff.  I especially like these talks when I am the one doing the pushing.  It becomes less fun when I am pushed. This past week in Atlanta one of our worship leaders suggested that the secret to evangelism [...]

Seminar

Posted: June 15, 2011 by Glenn in citizenship, faith, Martin Luther King, mennonite, Mennonite Church USA, MLK, racism, rights, White Privilege
5

Sometimes I agree to do something before I fully think through all the implications.  Months ago a coworker and I agreed to lead a seminar titled “Crossing the Bridge of Culture and Race” at the upcoming Mennonite Convention in Pittsburg.  Apparently we are going to talk about White Privilege.  This is one of those “elephant [...]

Weak

Posted: June 8, 2011 by Glenn in Christian, church, weak
Tags:
0

The Apostle Paul’s reflections on weakness have always frustrated me.  The idea that weakness leads to strength is not one of those biblical messages that sits well in a self-made culture.  Weak people get trampled on, abused and neglected. Aren’t the strong supposed to help the weak?  I want to be a helper not a helpee.  [...]

Lose Yourself

Posted: June 2, 2011 by Glenn in commencement, David Brooks, individualism, self-centeredness, service, service to others, speech
0

“The purpose of life is not to find yourself.  It’s to lose yourself.”  With these words David Books concludes his column bemoaning the advice dispensed at so many of this year’s commencement speeches – “find yourself, find your passion and then pursue your dreams.” Books’ lament is based on a certain reality.  After all, in what [...]