The Key of Knowledge
by George W. Rizor The nature of this site (Building Faith) makes it somewhat difficult to write for. It is necessary to consider context when discussing Christian Education and Faith Building and...
View ArticleLife in the Fast Lane
by Christina Clark “What one major goal do you have for yourself for the next month? It could be something creative you’ve been putting off; that thing that’s been on the top of your pile but keeps...
View ArticleMission vs. Vision
by Sharon Ely Pearson Many churches have vision statements. Many have mission statements. What’s the difference? Does a church need both? Is one better than the other? It all depends on what you’re...
View ArticleBack to Basics
by Michele Minehart When wanting to scale back a notch, it becomes easy to get overwhelmed by the processes and products that others suggest to “simplify” our lives. A new way of meal planning, the...
View ArticleNipping
by Amy Sander Montanez Bailey nips at me every morning when I scratch him. He is excited about our morning time together, so eager and present. His purring is loud and intense, and it seems as if he...
View ArticleThe Work of Waiting
by Amy Sander Montanez If you cringed just reading that word…waiting…you have lots of company, including me. Waiting has been a big theme in my life, so I have tried to embrace it. Most days it is...
View ArticleThe Risk of Vulnerability
by Carrie Craig We are entering the door of a new year. Those involved with Christian formation share in a sigh of relief as activities for Advent and Christmas come to a close. Even though the...
View ArticleLent for Practical Christians
by Br. Curtis Almquist, SSJE Jesus shows us remarkably little interest in people’s spiritual lives. He is, however, passionate about people’s lives – who, what, how they are in toto: their body, mind,...
View ArticleSpiritual Journeys: “To” God or “From” God?
by Stephen Rozelle The season of Epiphany celebrates the manifestation of Jesus. That’s to say that God “shows up” in the person of Jesus. There are some wonderful stories connected to the season,...
View ArticleOther Worlds
by Amy Sander Montanez I want to tell you what it was like to stand on the rim of the Grand Canyon after a dc winter blizzard. I want to tell you how it looked, glazed in ice and snow, and how the...
View ArticleLiving the Resurrection
by C. Franklin Bookhart After reading even a little of the writing of St. Paul in the New Testament, the accusation could not be made that Paul did not know what he believed or was reluctant to state...
View ArticleGiving God a Whole Day
by Colleen Scheid It is hard to find people who are in the habit of scheduling whole days for spiritual renewal – who set aside morning till evening simply to be with God. Some of us cannot imagine...
View ArticleDiscerning Ministry with Teens: Part 1
by Jenifer C. Gamber As teenagers graduate high school and go on to work, college, or both, we can prepare them in their journey of being Christ’s hands and feet in the world by helping them see that...
View ArticleDiscerning Ministry with Teens: Part 2
by Jenifer C. Gamber Remember Buechner’s quote: “The place God calls you to is where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” In yesterday’s post we explored one’s deep gladness. Today is...
View ArticleWhen People Insult You
by Stephen Rozelle As St. Paul reminds us in his second Epistle to the Corinthians, you and I are called to be ambassadors for Christ. We take on this responsibility at our baptism: “Will you proclaim...
View ArticleYour Life = 28,835 Days
by Sharon Ely Pearson Okay, this article is a stretch for Building Faith. The video came across my Facebook feed and I was inclined to pass it along to my friends. Then I watched it again. And asked...
View ArticleThe Great Longing
by Dirk de Vries That thing you desire (person or place or state of mind)– represents a truer, deeper desire. What we want is but a glimmer of what we want. That person, that place, that state of mind–...
View ArticleI Don’t Do That Anymore
by Amy Sander Montanez My client hurried up the stairs ahead of me, saying as he climbed, “I can’t wait to tell you something.” We sat across from each other and l gave my full attention to him as he...
View ArticleMonks of the 21st Century
by Sharon Ely Pearson Rarely do most church-goers think about the existence of monasteries in our world today, with the exception of our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters – monks and nuns. However,...
View ArticleYouth, Doubt, and Grace
by Christina Clark “Tina, why do you believe in God?” As a youth and family minister, I talk about God. A lot. As a parent I talk about God with my own young children. As a devout and liberal...
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