RoboPreacher

This post is particularly difficult for me. I am from Iowa, the nearest "city" I grew up to was Cedar Rapids . I remember trips into town, to worship, get groceries and the like. For many Cedar Rapids isn't much of a city. It is modestly sized and doesn't boast of anything particularly important. The capitol, before the flood, was located on an island. This little trait was shared only by Paris. Cedar Rapids, however, boast something else important. Something else not often given attention. Cedar Rapids hosts the Mother Mosque in America. This mosque, built in 1934, is the first permanent structure built to serve specifically as a mosque in North America. I remember how proud I felt when I learned this. This pride is contrasted to a deep pain over recent events. The opposition to Cordoba House, a Muslim center to be built near ground zero, is well documented . (Listen to the audio, especially the recording of the commission meeting, to get a sense of the

Recently I've been able to begin writing and researching for a series I pitched earlier this spring. The series is about congregations which are greening themselves. In previous blog entries I've discussed ecologically concerned theology. It's been very meaningful for me to explore how theology prompts ethical ecological considerations. ( Here is a link to a theologian I've been able to talk with at the Metro Lutheran .) What the linked theologian, myself and so many are after is, what role does theology have in ecological-talk. I worked on a paper about a Theology of the Cross and ecology. It was a lot of fun, but it was frustrating, too. I felt like I had to spend at least a 1/3 of the paper explaining why ecology isn't a mere addition to theology, but an essential consideration in theology. For one of the the stories in the series, I visited Lutheran Church of the Reformation , in St. Louis Park. This congregation has been concerned and a leading caring for cre

This week I am finishing up on my story about women’s ordination. It’s been such a great experience. I’ve spoken with pastors about stewardship, gifts, theology, hope and sorrows. It’s humbling. At the end of this process I am emerging with a renewed sense about the importance of diverse perspectives and characteristics leading within the church. While this affirmation has to do with rights, it has a lot more to do with a promise; a promise of God’s presence and the promise of the goodness of God’s creation. Keeping those from ministry who bring new, unique and important gifts ultimately stunts the growth of the church. The growth I am talking about isn’t a growth in numbers, institutional strength, political prowess, social relevance or the like. Instead this growth is a promise to be part of God’s mission in the world . Once this story is published I will link it, and I am very excited to do so. Until then I have to sit on my hands and let the story go through the ed