DEVOTION: A Blog by Brethren Life and Thought – Page 22 – Anabaptist and Quaker essays, sermons, and other writings

What about the Prayer Covering? – Guest Blogger, Monica Rice

Published on : September 28, 2012November 10, 2016 Published by : Josh Brockway

When was the last time that you changed your physical appearance to enter into worship? Have you removed your shoes to walk a labyrinth? Removed your hat for a moment of silence? Have you placed a covering on your head to enter a sanctuary? Each of these practices is rooted […]

Giving and Community Life – Guest Blogger, Jeanne Davies

Published on : September 11, 2012November 10, 2016 Published by : Josh Brockway

The following “Call to Giving” was shared by Jeanne Davies, Associate Pastor of the Highland Ave Church of the Brethren. Call to Giving I want to quote a reflection for you on church struggles and their relation to church giving. This is from a post on sister Dana Cassell’s blog […]

Brethren Hermeneutics – Guest Blogger, Andrew Hamilton

Published on : August 23, 2012November 10, 2016 Published by : Josh Brockway

By Andrew Hamilton I was recently rereading an old edition of Brethren Life & Thought and rediscovered a thought provoking article by Nadine Pence Frantz. ((39 no 3 Sum 1994, p 153-166 )) In her article, “Biblical Interpretation in a ‘Non-Sense’ World,” Frantz offers a thought provoking discussion regarding the […]

Making the Center Strong: A Liturgical Reflection Part 2 – Guest Blogger, Christopher Montgomery

Published on : July 15, 2012November 10, 2016 Published by : Josh Brockway

By Christopher J. Montgomery Read part one of this series… Liturgical Place Early Brethren meetinghouses arranged their liturgical furniture in a rectangular or circular fashion. The benches faced inward to emphasize the community of believers gathered for worship. The presiders, often a panel of elders and ministers, occupied a bench […]

Making the Center Strong: A Liturgical Reflection Part 1 – Guest Blogger, Christopher Montgomery

Published on : July 1, 2012November 10, 2016 Published by : Josh Brockway

By Christopher J. Montgomery Read the second installment of this series… Gordon Lathrop asserts that the role of the presider in the assembly’s worship is to “make the center strong.” ((Gordon W. Lathrop, Holy People: A Liturgical Ecclesiology Augsburg Fortress, 2006, 94)) Throughout my work in pastoral ministry, either in proclamation, leadership, […]

and when – Guest Blogger, Dana Cassell

Published on : May 15, 2012November 10, 2016 Published by : Josh Brockway

by Dana Cassell from screens and screens, airport corridors and the adjoining seat, grocery store lines and rush hour traffic erupts this manufactured outrage – a pointed explosive perfectly aimed to obscure – with its hateful, prickly hot lava vomit – any trace of what actually is: the beguiling, the […]

An Inside Out Faith – Guest Blogger, Randall Westfall

Published on : April 18, 2012November 10, 2016 Published by : Josh Brockway

By Randall Westfall If I were to ask you to make a list of things that you loved to do as a child, what would be on your list? For me that list includes (but is not limited to): running barefoot, building forts, catching things, building campfires, climbing, getting dirty, […]

The Anabaptist’s Will, The Pietist’s Heart & The Lover’s Gaze – Guest Blogger, Scott Holland

Published on : April 10, 2012November 10, 2016 Published by : Josh Brockway

[Part 3 of a three-part series on James K.A. Smith’s Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation. ((Smith, James K.A. Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Academic, 2009.)) Part 1 is here and part 2 is here.] by Scott Holland I’m writing my rather tardy contribution to the […]

In place of (non-)sacraments: Re-enchanting the Brethren

Published on : March 13, 2012September 17, 2012 Published by : Brian R. Gumm

[Part 2 of a three-part series on James K.A. Smith’s Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation. ((Smith, James K.A. Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Academic, 2009.)) Part 1 is here and part 3 will be up next week!] by Brian R. Gumm […]

Ascetic Christianity: Brethren Dress and Smith’s Cultural Liturgies

Published on : March 6, 2012April 10, 2012 Published by : Josh Brockway

[Part 1 of a three-part series on James K.A. Smith’s Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation. ((Smith, James K.A. Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Academic, 2009.)) Part 2 is here and part 3 is here.] by Joshua Brockway James K. A. Smith […]