New England Perspectives
A regularly updated collection of articles written by New England leaders and thinkers. Looking for news articles? Click here.
Contemplating the Cross This Easter: A Call to Live Differently
As Easter draws near, we are invited to contemplate the profound mystery of the Cross. The Cross is not just a symbol of suffering and death, but a powerful expression of love, grace, and transformation. To reflect on the Cross is to journey into the very heart of God’s love—a love that embraces suffering and enters our pain to heal and redeem us. This Easter let’s reflect on the Cross and explore practical ways to live out its message in our daily lives.
A Sacred Dialogue
Sarah had always thought of prayer as a monologue—a one-sided conversation where she spoke, and God, somewhere far off, listened. She grew up reciting the Lord’s Prayer, offering petitions before meals, and whispering hurried requests before bed. But something had shifted in her heart recently.
Ministering to Families with Special Needs
According to the Annie E Casey Foundation, close to 30% of U.S. households with children have at least one child with a special health care need. Among kids ages 3 to 17 with special health care needs, more than half (56%) have a current mental health or behavioral diagnosis, such as ADHD, depression, or anxiety.
Make This Your Best Summer
We just turned the page on March and spring has begun! It is not too early to start planning for your summer ministries. We know that events in New England can be challenging but the summer is a great opportunity to make a difference in the lives of kids and families in your community. Summer presents the desire for families to find family friendly, low or no cost events to enjoy time together. This is a great opportunity to build relationships with the families in your area!
Leaving a Lasting Legacy: The Art of Writing Scripture by Hand
Earlier this year, I found myself delving into the rich history of the kings of Israel and Judah during a Bible study. It was during this exploration that I felt a compelling challenge: to embark on the profound journey of writing the Torah as a daily prayer practice. The experience spanned 187 days, filled 23 journals, and consumed 32 pens. Yet, it sparked a deeper contemplation about the legacy I was leaving for my children and grandchildren.
The power of R.E.S.T.
During the past few months, I have noticed quite a few pastors that have been blessed with much needed rest through sabbaticals. In March 2022, Barna Research reported that 42% of pastors considered resigning — up from the 29% who did the same in January 2021, according to data collected by Barna. The three biggest reasons clergy cited were “immense stress,” feelings of isolation and loneliness, and “political division,” according to Barna.
Winning Moves to Connect with Guests
One of my favorite games to play with my grandsons is Connect 4. I love it because every time we play, they win! Well, I realized when preparing for a recent trivia game, that if you go first in Connect 4, you have a strong chance of winning 100% of the time. I always love to see the look on their faces when they beat me!
Holy Collisions
Have you ever experienced a collision? Two summers ago, a friend and I were on the Cape enjoying a very impromptu day of sightseeing when a car sped through a stop sign and broadsided me. This was the first major collision I had experienced. It certainly ruined the rest of our day!