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Essays

Thoughtful personal reflections from a variety of perspectives about issues relevant to Christian leaders

How to identify and counter dangerous speech

The Israel-Hamas war has spawned hateful, violent and even genocidal comments, both in person and online. An expert offers suggestions for Christian leaders to recognize and undermine it.

By Susan Benesch Founder and executive director, Dangerous Speech Project

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Advent’s surprise for us

What might happen if we greeted the season with wonder and amazement?

By Emily Lund Director of Communications, Leadership Education at Duke Divinity

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Do the people on death row deserve joy?

A pastor discovers that preaching to people scheduled to die is an experience of joy — for him and for them.

By Dewey Williams Pastor, Mt. Bright Missionary Baptist Church

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Allowing Advent to find us honestly

We can reframe the Advent season in order to reclaim it, writes an author and academic.

By Shannon W. Dycus Pastor and educator

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Larger churches have had an easier, more successful transition to using technology after the pandemic

New research reveals uncertainty about technology use among smaller churches, while for larger churches it has become “second nature.”

By Shari Finnell Journalist

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A Caribbean immigrant’s Thanksgiving meal begins with squash soup — a comfort food for past, present and future

The writer’s grandmother cooked hearty, meaty soup every week in Montserrat. Now a lighter, quicker version graces his table in the U.S.

By Andrew J. Skerritt Writer

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3 reasons I support public education as a pastor and parent

Loving our neighbors means supporting and improving our public schools and their ability to educate all children.

By Suzanne Parker Miller Executive Director, Pastors for N.C. Children

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‘How are you sleeping?’ And other leadership questions

Colleagues and constituents may signal important clues about their well-being when they mention the mundane, writes the executive director of Leadership Education at Duke Divinity.

By David L. Odom Executive director, Leadership Education at Duke Divinity

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The 1898 racist massacre and coup still reverberates through Wilmington, N.C.

Two activists with longtime ties to the city reflect on its past and how it might move forward 125 years after a murderous insurrection led by white supremacists.

Reggie Shuford Lucy McCauley

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Having my student debt forgiven helps me believe there is another way

Instead of defaulting to individual responsibility, shouldn’t we forgive one another’s debts?

By Melissa Florer-Bixler Pastor, Raleigh Mennonite Church

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