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Continue reading →: Epiphanies create transformative events of self-awareness
Have you ever had an epiphany? An epiphany is an awakening in which a person comes to terms with a new perspective on life. In church, we often speak of revelation—God’s self-disclosure to humanity in history—but very rarely do we speak of epiphany. Epiphany has to do with illumination, a…
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Continue reading →: Ministers are professionals that should take ethics seriously
As a minister, I know that gaining a congregation’s trust is one of the single most important tasks in developing a sustainable and healthy ministry. It usually takes years to gain a church’s trust, and the hard work that it takes often requires experimentation and risk. When it comes to…
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Continue reading →: Christmas is a Seaon of Grief and Hope
Lights and bells, tinsel, toy soldiers and gingerbread cookies. Such is the magic of the holiday season. It is easy to sing “Joy to the World” when we get to celebrate Jesus’ birthday in the presence of decked-out trees, warm fireplaces and excited children. But the very first Christmas was…
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Continue reading →: Getting Lost in Translation: Which Bible is Right for You?
I read with some interest the article in the Rockdale Citizen last week about a new “conservative” translation of the Bible. I taught a class on biblical translations once or twice in Sunday school, so these articles always catch my attention. Translating the Bible is a precarious business that requires…
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Continue reading →: In the news: Only half of the population trust clergy
“The annual ranking of ethics of various professions found that 50 percent of Americans rated clergy’s honesty and ethics as “high” or “very high.” That is down 6 percent from last year’s poll.” Read about it at the Associated Baptist Press: http://www.abpnews.com/content/view/4641/53/
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Continue reading →: Advent is a time to get excited about Jesus’ birthday!
By this time tomorrow, two of five candles in the Advent wreath sitting on my coffee table will be burning brightly. Advent, which literally means arrival or coming, is the holy season that unfolds during the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. A candle is lit for every Advent Sunday;…
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Continue reading →: “Palinization” opens Dialogue about Equality, Dignity
By Joe LaGuardia, with Rev. Nicole Farrar I have seen so much of Sarah Palin in the news over the past several weeks, I feel like I am qualified to be called one of her best friends. Sarah Palin and her book tour have attracted the attention of almost every…
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Continue reading →: Christ the King Sunday is Worth Celebrating
As one who loves liturgy, I am excited that tomorrow is Christ the King Sunday. It is a time to celebrate God’s reign, the incarnation and lordship of Jesus. It is so holy, I can’t help but to sing: “All hail the power of Jesus’ name…bring forth the royal diadem,…
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Continue reading →: Ministers, like parishioners, often face depression
In my last post, I wrote of my mini-sabbatical from church and the importance of taking a sabbatical as part of a minister’s spiritual journey. Sabbaticals are important because they give ministers the space and time to tend to their own personal issues, many of which originate from family, spiritual,…
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Continue reading →: An Open Letter to our U.S. Senators
Dear U.S. Senator (especially those in Georgia), I would like for you to take time to consider casting your vote affirming health-care reform in the United States Senate. It is both a historic and significant bill that will, according to my research, lower costs for middle-class families and allow people…
Engaging Heart, Mind, and Soul
Rev. Dr. Joe LaGuardia
Rev. Dr. Joe LaGuardia is a pastor, writer, and chaplain residing in Florida. He is author of three books and regular contributor to Smyth & Helwys’ Formations Series. His articles have appeared in USA Today, Baptist News Global, Christian Ethics Today, TCPalm, and Rockdale Citizen.
Baptist Spirituality explores the intersection of faith and culture incorporating biblical scholarship, culture and the arts, politics, science, and theology.
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