Monthly Archives: April 2023

Engage: Thanks!

Posted on April 28, 2023 by Steve Harper

A quick word to say thanks to those of you who participated in the reading of Walter Brueggemann’s book, ‘Journey to the Common Good.’ In today’s final Zoom meeting, three additional resources were part of our conversation… (1) Michael DeJonge, … Continue reading →

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Engage: Group Meeting Tomorrow

Posted on April 27, 2023 by Steve Harper

Tomorrow (Friday) we meet for our final session to discuss Walter Brueggemann’s book, ‘Journey to the Common Good.’ We meet at Noon (ET) via zoom. Here’s the link… https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82787767931?pwd=bmZwMWloV1NxUHFFU3ZPS1RpU0Izdz09 Meeting ID: 827 8776 7931Passcode: 014683

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Engage: Subversion #4

Posted on April 25, 2023 by Steve Harper

I am looking forward to our final Zoom meeting this Friday, April 28th, at Noon (ET). Here is the link to the meeting. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82787767931?pwd=bmZwMWloV1NxUHFFU3ZPS1RpU0Izdz09 Meeting ID: 827 8776 7931Passcode: 014683 Honestly, I do not know how to process what we … Continue reading →

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Engage: Subversion #3

Posted on April 18, 2023 by Steve Harper

If Isaiah begins with the exposure of Jerusalem as a fallen empire, he does not stop there. Indeed, he cannot. As in Jesus’ parable of the expulsion of an evil spirits (Luke 11:24-26), it is not sufficient to empty life … Continue reading →

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Engage: Reconstruction #2

Posted on April 11, 2023 by Steve Harper

Reconstruction (whether of Jerusalem or anything else) moves on the premise that it is worth it. That is, reconstruction ooccurs against the backdrop of vision. Brueggemann shows us the vision of Jerusalem revealed in 2 Samuel 7 and 1 Kings … Continue reading →

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UMC: Clergy Ethics

Posted on April 4, 2023 by Steve Harper

I continue to read and hear about UMC clergy who are championing disaffiliation from the denomination. Some have already led their congregations out of the UMC, and others are at some point in the process of doing so. Yet, they … Continue reading →

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Engage: Reconstruction #1

Posted on April 4, 2023 by Steve Harper

The journey to the common good is one of faith (vision), anxiety (struggle), and neighborliness (life together)….chapter one. The journey is characterized by subversion, a prophetic resistance to evil (imperialism) through the advocacy and enactment of steadfast love, justice, and … Continue reading →

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At the Gate: Three Bibles

Posted on April 1, 2023 by Steve Harper

[Note: beginning today, this “At the Gate” series will become a monthly post on the first day of each month. I hope that making it less frequent will result in writing that is more revealing of a “big picture” life … Continue reading →

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