Novels give readers glimpses into lives and experiences different from their own; that is why reading fiction should be an integral part of pastoral ministry.

In this Advent season, we celebrate both the first coming of Jesus and also his promise to come again. These two events are related: if

Last summer I moved from Wheaton, Illinois, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, from a city with no synagogues and a nearly invisible Jewish population to a

As I look out of my office window, I see sky and the tops of trees. That’s because a foot of snow sits on the

These days, when appearing at events where I am scheduled to speak, I am often asked whether any hymns will be quoted. I think it

“Shame on you.” And then he walked away. I am stunned, and something inside me breaks. The people continue to stream out the sanctuary door.

Down in the church basement, we’re sitting in the lady minister’s office, the nine of us. Pilgrims, Claudette calls us, herself included. Claudette is the

River skimmed with ice, white birch limbs swinging as birds launch toward blue sky Conifer fragrance as the wind blows, scattering. . . grave plots