For any feeling safer because of their guns or for those afraid of others’ guns, I think of Paul’s advice: “We live as human beings, but do not wage war according to human standards, for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds.” II Cor. 10: [...]

Courage and willingness to treasure and magnify the good in the city and to leave behind the racial and other tensions and difficulties.

On issues like the fiscal cliff, we are sometimes tempted to think each of us has to figure out the right course for the country and then to argue and lobby for that position.  For those not in a policy-making position, isn’t it perhaps more effective to spend a few moments each day in prayer? [...]

Which Memphis-area house of worship do you find most beautiful, spiritual, sacred? And why?

My favorite church building in Memphis is Idlewild Presbyterian, which has the elegance of a European cathedral. Calvary Episcopal and St. John’s Methodist have appealing sanctuaries. There is nothing in any of these churches to distract from the message.

What should we – individually and collectively – be doing differently about hunger issues in our community? One of the central promises of the Bible is that our gracious Father provides everything we need, as He did with the manna in the wilderness, the oil and meal for the widow woman at Zarephath, the coin from [...]

What are your views on the fact that Protestants are no longer the majority religion in the U.S.? It seems to me that neither the physical structures or cold creeds are the heart of our places of worship or denominations. Their spiritual structure is important, and I think we should measure progress by the way that [...]

What is your favorite verse of holy scripture and why? One favorite passage is Jesus’ statement about the coming of the kingdom: “. . .behold, the kingdom of God is within you” —or as some have translated “in the midst of you.” That promise reminds us that God’s ever-present and tender care is already there to [...]

Memphis is the second most generous city in the country, according to a new survey by The Chronicle of Philanthropy. According to the publication: “Religion plays a major role in how much money Americans give to charity. The parts of the country that tend to be more religious are also more generous.” Why is this true? [...]

What should Memphis City Council do? Are sexual orientation and gender identity an employment issue, a civil rights issue or a faith issue? The word “gender” relates to “origin” or “kind.” “Children of God” comes to mind when thinking of origin and kind — perhaps the best starting point when identifying ourselves and others. Would it [...]

What is your reaction to the Freedom from Religion Foundation suing the Memphis City Council? Every church with which I am familiar encourages prayer for the community and the world. Speaking personally, it has seemed to me that those offering prayer before the meetings have tried to make the prayers as inclusive and universal as possible, [...]

Are you concerned about new voter ID laws? Are we doing enough to prevent fraud and other problems? How can we make voting as accessible as possible while still safeguarding the democratic process? The motives for legislation matter, whether it is to prevent fraud or suppress votes from certain constituents. Even if rightly motivated, does the [...]

This week the Faith in Memphis panel reflects on the movie theater massacre in Aurora, Colo. Many who have gone through wartime are convinced by their experiences that prayer can stop bullets. Those who have been victims have found that forgiveness is a vital part of recovery. News of the countless acts of kindness and concern [...]

What accounts for our such low and declining confidence in ‘the church or organized religion’? I think perhaps our branch churches got bound by their customary way of doing things, whether it was dealing with an applicant for membership, conducting a church service, or reviewing reports at a business meeting. I think members are prayerfully…[Read more]

The Episcopal Church will now allow priests to conduct services blessing same-sex relationships. The denomination’s House of Bishops approved the policy Monday, and delegates to the national convention approved the measure on Tuesday becoming the largest U.S. religious denomination to approve such a ritual. What’s your response? Is this an…[Read more]

According to the 2010 Census, of the 168,000 children living in Memphis, nearly 67,000 — about 4 in 10 — are living in a family with a female householder and NO FATHER PRESENT. Later this month, Memphis Mayor A C Wharton will host the Second Annual Memphis Training Camp for Dads. (Wharton is writing a [...]

Lack of good jobs in Memphis is more than an economic problem, says Dr. Chris Scruggs of Advent Presbyterian Church. “It’s also a spiritual problem. If we do not create an environment in which people can find good jobs, we deprive our children of the opportunity to use their unique God-given talents, gifts and abilities. We [...]

It is often said that you “can’t legislate morality.” Are saggy pants a morality issue or something else? My response: Does this statute come under the law of the Medes and Persians, so it cannot be reversed? If a student with saggy pants saves a teacher’s life, will he still be thrown into the lion’s [...]

Times are tough. Money is tight. Unemployment is high. Consumer debt is high. It’s hard to save and harder to give. Offer our readers some faith-based financial counsel. What do you tell people about spending and debt and consumerism? What do you tell them about saving and giving? What are some faith-based principles for dealing with [...]

What concerns you about immigration? What concerns you about the way politicians and legislators are dealing with the issue of immigration? What should we do about illegal immigration? Would you sign the Clergy for Tolerance letter? I think that a church leader properly helps members eliminate from their thinking things like greed, pettiness,…[Read more]

Should grieving be considered a psychiatric disorder? How do you define grief? How do you counsel or minister to those who are grieving? Can/should grief be medicated? One person’s approach to grief: When her husband died, friends told her she would need to go through the various stages of grief, including anger and depression. Someone else [...]