Like a scratched record album, her life is stuck on “repeat” and can only move forward when the needle is bumped, and we remind her of the events of the past.
As I Was Saying
This is The Banner's online opinion column, from a variety of different writers, published Fridays.
- September 21, 2020| |
In its simplest form, our classification puts human beings into two categories: friend and foe.
I am left with a feeling of great discomfort when I think of the awkwardness of that moment, his inability to read my cues, my inability to tell him no.
- September 14, 2020| |
As a member of the LGBT+ community, I am no stranger to division within the world and within the church.
Everything seems so clear now.
Cavernous divides between people groups are not unique to our modern plight.
Alcohol induced loneliness, despair, and depression, which had become unbearable, and I became aware of my dark thoughts of suicide.
We fought to swallow the lumps in our throat, and we blinked away the tears. Then we said goodbye.
The Christian community wonders why teenagers are not interested in Christianity—why I don’t want to be associated with the name.
In the act of putting on some characteristic garment, you share strengths, experiences, understanding, and love. … Masks are a big deal because all clothes mold us and mediate between us.
It’s surprising how much the anticipation of a new school year can excite and create a feeling of trepidation inside a teacher.
Following Jesus during the time of COVID is discombobulating.
It is taking on the power of a new religion that’s dividing churches and hurting Christian witness.
Our current moment in history has laid bare my insecurities, deficiencies, and anxieties of being a pastor.
I’d rather believe the lie that only old people will die in this pandemic and that I’m invincible.
Words people use while expressing anger are easy targets to undermine the feelings they are expressing.
I don’t think I’m alone in saying that lately, I’ve been frustrated.
While other Christians and people of other faiths might see that they must change their practices in regard to race, white evangelicals still think of it in terms of what they believe.
I’ve come to realize that what I was receiving was a collective response to years, decades, centuries of my co-workers’ and friends’ experiences of racist attitudes.
- August 4, 2020| |
The question isn’t just simply about what is “safe” or “not safe.”
With us was a man, the brothers’ uncle, who for many years—and in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds—had held on to hope that one day his nephews would join him in Canada.
In the days and weeks after these losses, he waited. He waited for his church to reach out. He waited to hear from the elders. He waited for his pastors to visit.
Although some support programs are in place in the churches, we are called to reach out to the communities and develop initiatives that are available to everyone.