Category Archives: Uncategorized

Despair that disguises hope

Posted on March 12, 2023 by Mark Love

I’m in despair. I have great hope. I’m not optimistic. There is a clear path forward. Yes, I am of two minds. The topic is the state of the church today in North America. I browsed the “religion” aisle at … Continue reading →

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“A Pandemic is a Terrible Thing to Waste”

Posted on July 8, 2022 by Mark Love

I attribute my title to Pat Keifert, who has said this in my presence time and again the past few years. He could stop at “a pandemic is a terrible thing.” And it is. Think of all the ways it … Continue reading →

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Mission in an Age of Crisis: Call the Midwife

Posted on July 5, 2022 by Mark Love

In our graduate program, we are careful about the metaphors for leadership we use. I believe that definitions of power and authority, which are not bad words in and of themselves, may be the thing that distinguishes Christian life and … Continue reading →

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Giving up Snark for Lent

Posted on March 10, 2022 by Mark Love

I’m not good at Lent. I have no great Lent advice and I always have a hard time thinking of something to give up. This is not because I lack possibilities, but because I have too many. Where do I … Continue reading →

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The Backward Hermeneutics of Paul

Posted on February 28, 2022 by Mark Love

I’ve been reading posts from my students in their missional hermeneutics course. They are currently responding to Richard Hays’ book, Echoes of Scripture in Paul. I’ve read these posts alongside participation in a conference on hermeneutics I attended the last … Continue reading →

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The Continuing Presence of Jesus in the World

Posted on January 4, 2022 by Mark Love

I read today a quotation emphasizing that Jesus has taken up residence in the human heart. I get it and I don’t think it’s wrong. The language of abiding in the gospel of John would indicate that Jesus continues to … Continue reading →

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Mercy, Not Sacrifice: Some Observations

Posted on January 3, 2022 by Mark Love

Twice in Matthew’s gospel, nearly complete verbatim agreement with Mark’s account is expanded to include a line from the prophets: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” (9:13, 12:7). In the first instance, Jesus invites the Pharisees to “go and learn what … Continue reading →

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Dave Grohl’s Rock Calling

Posted on January 1, 2022 by Mark Love

I did the pilgrimage to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this week. I can’t believe it’s taken me this long given the fact that it’s only a three hour drive from where I’ve lived the past twelve years. … Continue reading →

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How not to pick a church fight

Posted on October 20, 2021 by Mark Love

I spent time recently with a fried who leads a Church of Christ as a minister. He told me that the elders of his congregation had hired a consulting group to come in and help them determine a strategic direction … Continue reading →

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The church as a public companion in grief

Posted on October 5, 2021 by Mark Love

A few months ago, a group hosted by Church Innovations, gathered in Yellowstone for a little fly fishing and theology. Well, a lot of fly fishing and some theology. In the evenings, we would turn our attention to the past … Continue reading →

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