We love leaders with vision and clarity, assuring us of the certain path ahead. The Gospel writers challenge the certainty of the religious leaders by offering a clear and simple vision of mercy - expressing gratitude for the mercy received and extending mercy to others.
Fr. Timothy Lowe shares the perspective of The Blind Man from the Gospel of John. Jesus extends mercy, bringing sight to the blind and revealing the blindness of those who presume to see through the certainty of self-righteousness. Read the full episode transcript here.
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Making excuses comes almost as naturally as eating or sleeping, and it begins at a young age. We are wired to cover our sins with self-justification and shifting blame. But for a doulos charged with service in the Lord's household, there is no room for excuses. Jesus offers wholeness and new life, demonstrated by the story in John's Gospel of the paralytic man who was healed despite the excuses and presumed accountability to the old way of life.
Fr. Timothy Lowe shares how with this new life comes freedom from excuses and new accountability to walk in the life-giving commandments and to "Go and sin no more." Read the full episode transcript here. 
In this week's episode, we are challenged by the Gospel of John, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit for apart from me, you can do nothing." (John 15:5)
Mariam Haddad, successful entrepreneur, community supporter, and devoted mother, shares her encounter with the pruning shears wielded by the Lord. In the solitude of the pandemic, she gives up her grandiose plans for her children and business and loses every possession in the Houston freeze. Mariam glorifies God for this new season of repentance by which the dead branches of pride and personal agendas are pruned and cut away. Read the full episode transcript here. 
The story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples is unique to the Gospel of John and replaces the Eucharistic element expressed in the other Gospels. Jesus demonstrates that unity in love and compassion is essential within the leadership hierarchy for the witness of the gospel. He instructs His disciples to behave according to the Gospel message they carry, urging them "to wash one another's feet."
Fr. Timothy Lowe, former Rector of the Tantur Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem, exegetes John 13, and reminds us that this intimate act of service and love is transformative for all who hear and do as the Lord instructs. Read the full episode transcript here. 
Does your parish council resign itself merely to bills, budgets, and buildings? Or does your church board inspire vision rooted in Christ?
Based on extensive parish development practice and consulting, Joe Kormos shares many useful suggestions to function as a more effective parish board, including:
See the full episode transcript. |
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