A sign of reluctance may be a virtue, not a lack of conviction. Pastoral sensitivity is careful to seek to meet people where they are. This is far from relativism and closer to compassionate community. We all face life in the midst of death, hope in the midst of despair, joy in the midst of sadness, and courage in the midst of fear. Demanding that “in the midst of” disappear will destroy tension and our arrogance will rob us of the truth.
Dr. Gregory J. Laughery
The disintegration of words is a common occurrence in our times. “I love that car or that movie” is okay, but perhaps it risks trivializing love. While woefully inadequate, words are often all we have to express ourselves. This means that intentionality and care for words are important. If we don’t cherish words, no one will.
Dr. Gregory J. Laughery
The stench of niceties proliferates in many churches these days. We have nice music, nice clothes, nice buildings, nice toilets – why we’re just nice and even nice to each other. Simply delightful, it might be said - those church goers are such nice people. Let’s stop being “nice” and start to be gracious, kind, compassionate, forgiving, and loving.
Dr. Gregory J. Laughery
One of the stark warnings in the biblical story is to be careful of self-deception. Be it from false prophets, false teachers, the religious elite, or ourselves, we have to reckon with the ever present danger of being deceived. Our sufficient, but incomplete way through this dilemma, is the unending giveness of God in creation, revelation, Jesus Christ, the Spirit, and existence itself.
Dr. Gregory J. Laughery
