A Reflection on Purple Congregations: A Foretaste of the Kingdom
In this divided world, there is something special about congregations where people from across the political spectrum gather to worship, serve, and grow in faith together. We often refer to these congregations as “purple”––blended communities of conservatives and progressives. These faith communities offer us a glimpse of what the kingdom of God looks like: a gathering of God’s people, diverse in perspective yet united in Christ. The Way of Jesus is a call to live out the t
Transfiguration: A Call to See, Listen, and Include
The Feast of the Transfiguration holds a significant place in the church year. It is a moment when we pause to reflect on the glory of Christ revealed on the mountaintop. In this story, Jesus is transformed before Peter, James, and John. His face shines, his clothes become dazzling, and the voice of God affirms, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him” (Mark 9:7). The Transfiguration bridges the seasons of Epiphany and Lent. It reminds us that the same Jesus who reveals G
Christ Alone as Our Center: A Lutheran Call to Resist Political Idolatry
In Lutheran theology, faith must not be ruled by political or cultural ideology. Christ alone is Lord, and the Gospel—not party loyalty—guides moral life. History, from the Confessing Church to Bonhoeffer and Barth, warns that ideology can become idolatry. When faith leads politics, it promotes love of neighbor, human dignity, justice, and hope rather than fear or power.
