DOUG PAGITT WANTS TO ‘FLIP’ THE CHURCH
THE DOUG PAGITT INTERVIEW—As millions of Americans have left churches over the past two decades, pastor Doug Pagitt could have given up, too. Instead, he works with people who’ve found the church to be “toxic”—and now yearn for a different way to form healthy spiritual communities. In his book, Flipped, Doug shares the lessons he’s learned about rethinking and renewing what we call “church.” In our interview with Doug, we also talk about a diverse new Christian movement that is connecting people all across America. You’re free to repost, share and print out this interview. Lots of people are going to be talking about this!
INTERFAITH PEACEMAKERS
GLOBAL INSPIRATION—Tell friends about www.InterfaithPeacemakers.com for inspiring stories about men and women around the world. New this week …
- FROM INDIA-PAKISTAN—Abdul Ghaffar Khan, who worked with Gandhi.
- NOBEL PRIZE WINNER—The courageous young Malala Yousafzai.
- THE DALAI LAMA—From Tibet to the whole world.
OUR VALUES …
DO WE TRUST D.C.?
TRUST IN GOVERNMENT—This week, sociologist Dr. Wayne Baker’s OurValues series explores the deep distrust millions of Americans feel toward many of our major agencies in Washington D.C. You may be surprised by what national polling is telling us about our widely shared fears and concerns.
- PART 1—How much do you love the IRS?
- PART 2—Can you trust the CDC?
- PART 3—Do Millennials love the NSA?
- PART 4—Do Republicans trust any agency?
- PART 5—Is government the #1 problem today?
HOLIDAYS and FESTIVALS
ALL THE HOLIDAYS—Tell friends about www.InterfaithHolidays.com to find all the news you’ll need to celebrate with communities around the world.
- DOWNTON ABBEY FANS? You’ll enjoy reading about the UK tradition of Mothering Sunday. No, it hasn’t appeared in the BBC-PBS series yet, but columnist Stephanie Fenton spots a couple of Downton connections, already.
- ST. PATRICK’S DAY—Fun for the Irish and, as Stephanie Fenton puts it, “the Irish at heart.” Her column reminds us of the legend of St. Patrick and shares some yummy food-related ideas, as well.
DELICIOUS “PI DAY”—This week, turn to Bobbie Lewis’s FeedTheSpirit column for a tasty story about “Pi Day,” an annual celebration of the little number on which math helps to turn our world. You know—Pi as in 3.14? Enjoy!
.
FAITH, FILM
AND POPULAR CULTURE
VISUAL PARABLES—Find more than 1,000 movie reviews from faith-and-film expert Edward McNulty at www.VisualParables.org.
- MARCH JOURNAL—The one publication Ed sells is his long-running Visual Parables Journal, packed with study guides for individual reading and small group discussion. The March issue is new this week.
- MOVIE REVIEWS—Ed recommends several great moves this week: The Gospel of John (4.5 out of 5 stars); Song of the Sea (5 stars); The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (4 stars).
- FREE FILM CAPSULES—Ed provides these mini-reviews for readers to freely share and repost.
FAITH GOES POP—Check out the latest from Ken Chitwood. Remember to use the hashtag #FaithGoesPop if you wind up responding to his questions in social media.
AND IF YOU LOVE THAT—You’re going to smile at LEBOWSKI vs. BUKOWSKI, a fun and fanciful column by Rodney Curtis about two of America’s most famous gadflies—one fictional, one real.
.
DOING GOOD IN THE WORLD
GOOD MEDIA builds good community in so many ways …
LINCOLN SCHOLAR DUNCAN NEWCOMER published a nationwide call to organize discussions for the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s death (April 15, 1865).
- “THANKS!” to readers who told us they are sharing the column by Duncan on their Facebook pages and elsewhere. Please email us if you hear of any 150th events in your part of the U.S. at [email protected]
- BRIAN “FOX” ELLIS, the popular historical storyteller, shared our column with his audience and, this spring, is involved in a number of Lincoln and Whitman events. Visit Ellis’s website to learn more.
- DUNCAN IS HOSTING a discussion on April 15 at an Indiana landmark, the New Harmony Working Men’s Institute. If you’re in that part of the country—stop in!
- PLANNING AN EVENT? You’ll enjoy our Abraham Lincoln Resource Page.
WORKING WITH VETERANS—Did you know that, in 2015, America will have its largest population of veterans? That’s 23 million men and women. All this year, we will be publishing columns (as well as two upcoming books) in collaboration with veterans.
- SUZY FARBMAN—This week, our GodSigns columnist Suzy Farbman tells the story of U.S. Marine Michael Jernigan, who repeatedly suffered attacks in Iraq and eventually came home with extreme trauma including blindness. This story is about how Michael met Brittani, the golden retriever who changed his life!
THE THIRD-WAY NEWSLETTER
KEEP IN TOUCH—From our cover story to this final item in our weekly online magazine, The Third Way Newsletter is part of the changing Christian landscape that is welcoming diverse men and women. Tell friends about www.ThirdWayNewsletter.com and go to the site, where you can sign up for free email updates.
- WHEN ONE GROUP IS EXCLUDED—Caroline Kittle’s column explains why this issue of hospitality is larger than the LGBT community. Exclusionary attitudes bar many men and women from our communities.
- SHARP DISAGREEMENTS—Emily Swan tells us why a “Third Way” approach can help any community deal with tough disagreements.
- HOW TO READ THE BIBLE—Caleb Brokaw continues his series on understanding the Bible.
- ‘I NEED YOU ALL’—And there’s also a video this week, an inspiring personal story.
DAVID GUSHEE—The author of Changing Our Mind, this week, will be speaking at A Stirring on March 14 in Irving, California. The first 250 registrants will receive a free copy of his book. Also on the program are Ken Fong, Senior Pastor at Evergreen Baptist Church of LA (Rosemead), Sandra Turnbull, Founding Pastor of Glory Tabernacle Christian Center, and Danny Cortez, Teaching Pastor at New Heart Community Church.
.
