Jim Burklo
Truth and Freedom: Resistance Bible Study
Christians have a responsibility to determine the truth of social and political narratives in order to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, writes the Rev. Jim Burklo. Read more
Christmas: Birth of a New Narrative
A young Russian Christian's testimony in court prompts the Rev. Jim Burklo to ask what narrative guides our lives if not the Christmas narrative. Read more
First, Save Democracy...
Ultimately, the crisis in American democracy is not a person. It is systemic. It is structural. And it is spiritual, writes the Rev. Jim Burklo. Read more
Christianity, Incubated
Christianity is a pinch of smelly yeast: messy, strange, complicated - outrageous in so many ways. But folded into the human heart, and with the right nurture and conditions, it can swell into divine goodness, writes the Rev. Jim Burklo. Read more
The Way of Emptying
Following Jesus could rightly be called "the way of emptying," meaning that we put ourselves aside to put others first, writes the Rev. Jim Burklo. Read more
The Beauty Trap
If we see beauty all around you, every day, in everyday things – if we look for that beauty and bask in it and enjoy it – we will become reflections of it. That's how God "traps" us, writes the Rev. Jim Burklo. Read more
Followership
When it comes to living as a disciple of Jesus, churches would do better to teach "followership" along with leadership, writes the Rev. Jim Burklo. Read more
Behold the Beloved
The Rev. Jim Buklo plumbs the depths of human and divine love expressed in the Song of Solomon. Read more
Out of Egypt: Remembering Rachel
Popular Christian author Rachel Held Evans, who died May 4 at age 37, gave voice and hope to millions of young evangelicals disenchanted with church, but not with their Christian faith, writes the Rev. Jim Burklo. Read more
The Christian Life Is Impossible. Therefore ...
Reading the Sermon on the Mount reminds the Rev. Jim Burklo that the heart of Christianity is not centuries of doctrines of theologies, but Jesus' simple and profound teachings on how to act in the world. Read more
Photo by Jim Burklo
Mindful Mysticism and Social Change: Watching the Watchers
We're all being watched in this era of digital information, but it's important that Christians also keep watch on governments and systems that might oppress the vulnerable, writes the Rev. Jim Burklo. Read more
How to Look Bigger
Increasing visibility and presence will help seekers find more progressive congregations, writes the Rev. Jim Burklo. Read more
The Church: A Fitness Center for Love
Learning to love as Jesus loves takes hard work, so why should we think of the Church as an exercise-free zone? asks the Rev. Jim Burklo. Read more
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
Survival @ 2.5 Minutes to Midnight
Our unsettled times, coupled with natural disasters, have people thinking in survival terms, but the Rev. Jim Burklo thinks public engagement including affiliation with a faith community offers a better solution. Read more
Photo Courtesy of Ben Gosden
Resistance Bible Study
The Rev. Jim Burklo offers a Bible study fashioned around the idea of Christian resistance to the current racist and inhumane political actions happening in the United States. Read more
Candles for the Uninsured
In the wake of proposed health care legislation that will decimate health care for millions of Americans, the Rev. Jim Burklo proposes lighting candles to remind us of the needy, and to contact Congress on their behalf. Read more
Photo Courtesy of Jim Burklo
A Trail of Thorns
On a spring break mission trip with college students, the Rev. Jim Burklo recounts the harsh realities of the immigrant trail from northern Mexico into southern Arizona. Read more
Photo courtesy of Bishop Peggy Johnson/Eastern Pennsylvania Conference
Defending REAL Religious Freedom
The so-called "religious liberty" arguments are really an attempt to take away religious freedom in America, writes the Rev. Jim Burklo. Read more
Photo Courtesy of Eric Folkerth
Progressive Christians to Pray with Muslims on Inauguration Day
Progressive Christians in southern California plan to pray with Muslims on Inauguration Day in resistance to President-elect Donald Trump's announced plans to register Muslim Americans and ban Muslim immigration. Read more
Illustration Courtesy of Jim Burklo
I Belong, Therefore I Am
The Rev. Jim Burklo looks at new scientific reports that religion – especially those that incorporate mindfulness into their spiritual practices – offers benefits for physical health as well. Read more
Photo Courtesy of Jim Burklo
A Trail of Thorns
On a spring break mission trip with college students, the Rev. Jim Burklo recounts the harsh realities of the immigrant trail from northern Mexico into southern Arizona. Read more
Photo courtesy of Bishop Peggy Johnson/Eastern Pennsylvania Conference
Defending REAL Religious Freedom
The so-called "religious liberty" arguments are really an attempt to take away religious freedom in America, writes the Rev. Jim Burklo. Read more
Photo Courtesy of Eric Folkerth
Progressive Christians to Pray with Muslims on Inauguration Day
Progressive Christians in southern California plan to pray with Muslims on Inauguration Day in resistance to President-elect Donald Trump's announced plans to register Muslim Americans and ban Muslim immigration. Read more
Illustration Courtesy of Jim Burklo
I Belong, Therefore I Am
The Rev. Jim Burklo looks at new scientific reports that religion – especially those that incorporate mindfulness into their spiritual practices – offers benefits for physical health as well. Read more
Jim Burklo Photo
The All in the Particular
The wisdom of English mystic Julian of Norwich -- to see all of creation in its smallest incarnation -- still guides believers today on their path toward oneness with God, writes the Rev. Jim Burklo. Read more
Photo Courtesy of Jim Burklo
All Flows 'Round the One Who Knows
A trip to the Deschutes River in eastern Oregon puts the Rev. Jim Burklo in touch with the four steps of Christian spiritual formation. Read more
Voting – Calling Congregations to Action
While they can't endorse partisan candidates or political parties, there is a lot congregations can do to encourage members to exercise their right to vote, writes the Rev. Jim Burklo. Read more
Since Muslims Feel Pressure to Do It ...
Taking his cue from public pressure on Muslims to disavow the violent acts of Islamist extremists, the Rev. Jim Buklo apologizes for all the atrocities committed in the name of Christianity down through the past 2,000 years. Read more
Holy Jealousy
Recent encounters with other religions move the Rev. Jim Burklo to ponder how such encounters can enrich Christianity. Read more
The Power of Ritual
The memorial service for his recently deceased mother reminds the Rev. Jim Burklo of how Christianity serves as the vessel for life's most potent moments. Read more
Photo by Jim Burklo
The Parliament of the World's Hats
Attending the recent Parliament of World Religions, the Rev. Jim Burklo finds it's just a taste of what the world believes and why, and longs for more substance. Read more
What Happened in Roseburg Won't Stay in Roseburg
In a fanciful satire, the Rev. Jim Burklo skewers the logic of profligate handguns and their consequences across American society. Read more
Tumbling
The Rev. Jim Burklo finds himself at a loss to compare a river's movement to the passage of life as he contemplates the recent death of his mother. Read more
Photo Courtesy of Jim Burklo
Emptying
The Rev. Jim Burklo contemplates our constant human impulse, through books and other writings, to try describe the "ineffable divinity" of our spiritual connections. Read more
Photo by Nicholas A. Tonelli, CCL2
Ideas Matter: Seizing an Alternative
Heading for a conference on creating an ecologically balanced world, the Rev. Jim Burklo reflects on the influence that Christian beliefs have on environmental policies. Read more
Jun 5, 2015 10:56 AM Jim Burklo