Bruce Reyes-Chow

Over the past few months I’ve had the privilege of being part of two task forces charged with thinking about the future of the National Council of Churches in the USA in light of so many changes in the cultural, religious and ecumenical landscape in the United States. Easy peasy. Founded in 1950, the National Council of the [...]

Don’t worry, I’m not REALLY going to do it, but boy do I want to. Last year I updated a post pushing back on the idea that one should give up social media for Lent. In that post I basically argue that, unless it is holding you back from somehow connecting to God, don’t give it up. [...]

As part of my commitment to a couple of book projects, this spring I am taking a personal blogging hiatus and have invited some folks to blog in my stead. It is my intention help share some new voices and perspectives with a larger audience and keep my blog active during my break. If you are interested in guest blogging, feel free to submit an idea. Today [...]

As part of my commitment to a couple of book projects, this spring I am taking a personal blogging hiatus and have invited some folks to blog in my stead. It is my intention help share some new voices and perspectives with a larger audience and keep my blog active during my break. If you are interested in guest blogging, feel free to submit an idea. Today [...]

Romans 12:14-19 (TNIV) 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not think you are superior. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful [...]

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, My name is Bruce Reyes-Chow and I too am a Christian. I am also a Presbyterian minister, a husband, a father and a Democrat.  Identifiers claimed, I write to you today because I am frustrated with the singular version of Christianity that is dominating today’s public and political discourse. Like [...]

As part of my commitment to a couple of book projects, this spring I am taking a personal blogging hiatus and have invited some folks to blog in my stead. It is my intention help share some new voices and perspectives with a larger audience and keep my blog active during my break. Today we welcome Emily Morgan [BLOG | TWITTER] and her open [...]

[Photo: giesenbauer] Last year the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life released a survey that created a huge buzz in religious circles about a group that could now be categorized as “Spiritual but not Religious.” The one of the findings that piqued the interest of many was that the decline in traditional church membership was not [...]

For those who follow the going’s on at Patheos.com you will notice a new grouping of bloggers and columnists now called, “Progressive Christians.” This is a newly launched portal on the site and has drawn together such bloggers and columnists as Phyllis Tickle, Diana Butler Bass, Monica Coleman and others. Partnering with this summer’s Wild Goose Festival, [...]

[photo: brianna miller] Sorry to disappoint some of you who might be looking for a “Top 10 List” of things that all Christians believe about such things as: abortion, sexuality, politics, Glee, hell, gambling, dinosaurs, baseball, immigration, Justin Bieber and/or the rumored cage match between Glenn Beck and Rachel Maddow. Tempting, but not gonna happen. [...]

[photo: shellysblogger] Most church folks know that the two times a year that new people often come to church are on Easter and Christmas Eve. We also know that the number of folks who actually come BACK or develop a meaningful relationship with the church from those worship experiences is pretty low. So frustrating. Don’t they [...]

If you’re the twittering type, hurry and nominate your favorite twitters in news, politics, music, etc.  People of faith know that God is also all up in the twitter, so let others know by NOMINATING ME or any other folks who you think would represent the #religion category well! Nominations will be accepted through the [...]

[photo by tarotastic] Do you remember that “I am spartacus” scene where everyone decides to take a stand of solidarity and support for a weary gladiator?  Well, this is not quite as dramatic and this will be no huge revelation to many, but let me stake my claim, add my voice to the chorus and encourage others [...]

[Photo by nuagedenuit] In a few days, my monthly “Letter to the church” will be coming out.  This month I chose to ask the question, “Why are we Presbyterian?” I raise this questions because I think that one of the things that we are struggling with as we continue to wrangle together to seek some collective [...]