Anabaptist and Quaker essays, sermons, and other writings
Is the Love Feast essential?1 The Love Feast faces a critical moment: will Christians in general, and Brethren in particular, seek to reclaim the Love Feast as an essential communion practice post-COVID? Or…will COVID put a metaphoric nail in the already waning practice of the Love Feast? These past two […]
After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb… –Rev 5:9 Train yourself in godliness, for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable […]
When I was 22, I attended a women’s cabaret in Minneapolis, where I was then living. One of the performers mentioned Camp Sister Spirit, a feminist retreat center in rural Mississippi that was in need of help – not just funds, but volunteers to help in the work of renovating […]
Chibuzo Petty How do you understand the difference between writing and writing as ministry? Nick Patler I am not sure I can explain the difference. For me, particularly as a historian whose interest is largely in African American history, writing is about telling stories, giving voice to persons and narratives […]
Jesus is risen! Have you seen the Lord? Have you seen him, still alive in the world, still going about the same kind of work that he had always been up to? Jesus has risen. Having found that empty tomb, we can leave it behind: we are not searching for […]
When have you been able to put it on the calendar ahead of time that a certain day was supposed to change your life? For many of us, a wedding day might come to mind. That date is saved far in advance, with tremendous preparation ahead of time; making vows […]
… the story of Joseph isn’t “happily ever after” when he forgives his brothers. Yes, God was working through all its twists and turns for good, working to provide an opportunity of salvation for the people. But our choices matter and Joseph made some awful choices. After interpreting Pharaoh’s dream […]
The following is an interview with Audrey and Tim Hollenberg-Duffey, co-pastors of Oakton Church of the Brethren in Virginia. We reached out to them based on requests from our readers. If you have others you would like to see featured in Brethren Life & Thought, please message us or our […]
This week, we take a break from our four-part series, “The Bible As…” by Jon Prater, to welcome back frequent Brethren Life & Thought blog contributor, Jonathan Stauffer. Stauffer writes about his experience attending Brethren Woods Camp and Retreat Center’s recent Simplify Conference. Stauffer accompanied two current Bethany Theological Seminary […]
Working as a program director might be one of the only “office” jobs that connects me to the cyclical design of nature. As we move from season to season, our programming shifts in rhythm with the movement of nature. In the winter, we slow down, observing a slower pace, a […]