Every Sunday, we’ll be posting articles and links that are saying something important about church, culture, and mission. Here’s what resonated with us this week on the web:

Church & Theology

Scot McKnight interviews Erin S. Lane who recently wrote a book about commitment phobia and the local church:

What’s the most important thing you’d say to someone who is spiritual but can’t find the motivation to be at church each Sunday? 

Erin: I’d say, “Me, too.” I can’t find the motivation to be at church each Sunday either but I still try to do it. Going to church has to depend on something more than motivation. It has to be a habit that you practice—or want to practice—because at some point you had a revelation that this is where real life is found. A mentor of mine has a quote on her desk that reads, “Discipline is remembering what you want.” Do you want to go church each Sunday? If not, I can’t convince you. But if so, I’ll be right there with you.

Christine Sine writes at the V3 Movement with a pointed question: Does the church trust women?

Within any church, a lifetime of exposure to what we think women should be, how they should behave, and who they should represent drives and reinforces unconscious and unseen biases and actions.

We may no longer adhere to the theology that women cannot be leaders or equals, but it still unconsciously shapes our behavior. We perceive women as primarily nurturers, helpers, and peacemakers who are not good leadership material.

The Gospel Coalition offers an explanation for the appearance of more Anglican leaders in their network:

Let me explain a little of how we reached this point. Many evangelicals might not know that in 2009 the Anglican Church in North America was established, and there are already a thousand or more congregations with a vigorous church planting flavor. While many are former Episcopalians, believers from various other traditions have been drawn down the Canterbury Trail. Many have rediscovered the beauty of Anglican worship and been surprised by the strong Reformation doctrines that permeate the Book of Common Prayer and its Thirty-Nine Articles.

News & Views

Christianity Today reports about Jean Vanier receiving a $1.7 million prize for his work with L’Arche Community:

The community-based L’Arche model grew quickly and has proven to be so successful that there are now 147 L’Arche communities in 35 nations. The organization also supports 1,500 Faith and Light support groups in 82 nations. It celebrated its 50th anniversary last year.

Speaking at the press conference today, Vanier, 86, said, “Our society will really become human as we discover that the strong need the weak, just as the weak need the strong.”

Efrem Smith blogs on recent racial events and the urgency of reconciliation:

A polarizing and deeply divided government won’t solve this issue. Extremist tenured professors who drown out their moderate peers on college campuses won’t solve this issue. Parents who use the colorblind approach to dealing with race won’t solve this issue. Pastors who don’t believe race is an issue in this nation or refuse to preach on this relevant issue won’t solve this problem. Cable news talk show hosts who make millions of dollars to put out demonizing and divisive rhetoric night after night won’t solve this problem. It will take an army of loving, patient, non-violent, proactive, urgent, steadfast reconcilers that will solve this problem.

Amy R. Buckley writes at RELEVANT about what it looks like to be a Christian feminist:

Growing up in the latter part of the 20th century, I heard references to “feminazis,” “women’s libbers” and worse. I did not know any secular feminists, and I did not think it was possible to be a Christian and a feminist. Mostly, I rejected feminism because of rumors that the movement had an abortion agenda.

Brian Zahnd offers a meditation: Love Never Ends:

Love never ends.
At the end of all things there is love. Love abides. Love endures.
When the last star burns out, God’s love will be there for whatever comes after.
In the end it all adds up to love. So when you are calculating the meaning of life—
If it doesn’t add up to love, recalculate, because you’ve made a serious mistake!

Favorite Podcasts

Bishop Graham Cray on the Fresh Expressions US podcast.

Brian Zahnd on the Newsworthy With Norsworthy podcast.

Partners & Resources

A Discerning Christian’s Guide to the Apple Watch, by Jeremy Bouma at Zondervan Academic.

What Local Media is Saying About Pioneers, by Fresh Expressions US.

Ministry at the Cost of Discipleship, by Tim Catchim at V3 Movement.

Vatican Endorses Military Support to Stop ISIS, by Joe Carter at The Acton Institute.

On The Missio Blog

On the blog this week, we continued our ongoing series on the topic of #TrulyHuman:

VIDEO: A Fresh Encounter With Jesus – Greg Boyd, by Missio Alliance.

A #TrulyHuman Realization: Raising A Racist Who Loves His Wife Well, by Fred Liggin.

Downton Abbey And The #TrulyHuman Practice Of Coming Alongside, by Karen Wilk.

A #TrulyHuman Counter-Culture: The Kingdom Effect On Human Sexuality, by David Flowers.