alanrudnick

[alanrudnick]

Bad luck or good luck? Who knows?

Bad luck or good luck? Who knows?

We often look at our negative circumstances in life and believe certain events are the final. Illness, loss of employment, a bad review, or a broken relationship can make us view life as bleak. However, what if God is at work in the seemingly unfortunate events in life? Long ago, there once was a farmer who depended on a horse to work the land. Unfortunately, a lightning storm frightened the…

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The post-pandemic church: Moving from pipeline to platform for ministry

The post-pandemic church: Moving from pipeline to platform for ministry

As churches emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, I often hear congregational leaders and pastors ask one another, “What’s next?  What do we need to do?” Typical responses often center on the church becoming more digitally available to people. Indeed, churches have made essential investments in livestreaming worship, Zoom facilitation of small groups, technology, and making ministry programs more…

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Book Review: Simple Faith Bible NRSV - Reflections from Jimmy Carter

Book Review: Simple Faith Bible NRSV - Reflections from Jimmy Carter #BibleGatewayPartner

Zondervan, 2020

Of all the United States Presidents, only Jimmy Carter was a Sunday School teacher AND President at the same time. On Sundays, Jimmy Carter would travel nine blocks to the First Baptist Church of Washington D.C to gather attendees to study scripture. Often not publicized, Carter would teach about 30 attendeeslessons from the Bible and also offer counsel to anyone who requested.…

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Rapper's rebaptism in the Jordan River

Rapper’s rebaptism in the Jordan River

I share my perspective on rapper Lecrae’s baptism with Jeff Brumley of Baptist News Global:

An American hip-hop artist’s rebaptism in the Jordan River last month sparked conversations ranging in nature from mean-spirited to theologically reflective.

“Can’t be baptized in the Jordan river and make the same old music. This new album is gonna be special,” rapper Lecrae said in a Sept. 19 tweet in…

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Live Video Podcast: The Christian Citizen – Justice, Mercy, and Faith I had a chance to sit down at the American Baptist Biennial Mission Summit in Virginia Beach, VA on June 22, 2019, with Editor Curtis Ramsey-Lucas of The Christian Citizen.

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Podcast: Seeking Unity, Healing Wounds

Podcast: Seeking Unity, Healing Wounds

Podcast: “Seeking Unity, Healing Wounds” – John 17:20-26

“Seeking Unity, Healing Wounds” Rev. Alan R. Rudnick

In the midst of the conflict of politics, economics, and culture, the idea of unity in American life might seem impossible to many. We watch television as pundits argue and clash over ideology and policy. We think our country and community is divided. Unity is impossible. However,…

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Podcast for Sermons

Right now, I’m in the process of utilizing sermon feeds and podcast feeds. Below is an archive of sermons. Over the next weeks, I’ll have a regular podcast distribution.

(more…)

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Thanks to Tony Campolo for the shout-out After writing my Baptist News Global opinion column on our culture's selective moral outrage, I'm thankful for Rev.

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Video interview, Pittsburgh synagogue shooting

Video interview, Pittsburgh synagogue shooting

I sat down with Channel 9 WSYR to talk about the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting and local implications of safety. 

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Do you know your emerging community?

This article originally appeared with the Christian Citizen 

When I was a pastor in a small town, there was a great sense of community. There were Memorial Day remembrances, firehouse breakfasts, ham dinners, the Holiday Parade, the annual Day of Prayer, Rotary meetings and community trash pick-up days. Many participated in community events regularly. However, a segment of the community was…

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Why this Parkland shooting photo is so painful

Another shooting, another community in grief. I’m not going to repeat the shooter’s name because that what people who do this stuff want. A shooter walked into Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL and killed 17 people and injured many others.

Of the many images of the Parkland shooting that emerged, one brought tears to my eyes instantly.

The Associated Press photographer Joel…

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Churches, listen to Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles

As the world now knows, the Philadelphia Eagles and Nick Foles won Super Bowl 52. The improbable start of Nick Foles from backup quarterback to Super Bowl champion is the stuff of Rudy-like movies that make you feel good. Everyone loves a good underdog story. In his victory speech, Foles shared something that every church, pastor, and lay leader should listen to.

Nick Foles’ faith has been well…

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After shooting, talk about church security

After shooting, talk about church security.

As the nation is still comprehending how a person could walk into a church and kill over 25 people, The First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas is in grief and shock. Another American shooting – the worst in history. In 2015, Dylan Roof walked into a Charleston, SC church and killed nine people. The number of faith-based violence has increased from 22 deaths a year in 1991 to 74 in 2014

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How to talk to kids about Las Vegas

As I awoke Monday listening to the radio I was shocked, dismayed, and saddened to learn of the horrible shooting that occurred in Las Vegas. I immediately thought about my children: Will they come home talking about it? Will they hear about Las Vegas on the bus? Will their teachers talk about it?

As a parent with children who are growing older, I realize that I cannot shield them from such acts…

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Lazarus, not John, was the disciple whom Jesus loved

Traditionally, John the gospel writer was the disciple whom Jesus loved. However, upon closer study, there is another follower of Jesus that is a stronger candidate that you have likely not considered. Lazarus.

The identity of the “beloved disciple” or the one John calls “disciple whom Jesus loved” or “the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved is unnamed and has remained a mystery. Irenaeus…

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Confession gone wrong?

As a non-Catholic, going to confession is not within my religious framework. Richard Foster reminds us that confession has spiritual and cathartic value.  This weekend I stumbled on a confession note that just didn’t seem right. Instead of commenting on the note, I did the most ecumenical thing possible: I shared the note with the monks of Unvirtuous Abbey. The results were… well, expected:

(mor…

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Meredith Gould on her book, "Deliberate Acts of Kindness"

I recently had a Q&A conversation with Dr. Meredith Gould on her updated book, Deliberate Acts of Kindness: A Field Guide to Service As a Spiritual Practice. Dr. Gould is well known for her writing and work within the fields of spirituality, church communications, and social media (among other disciplines).  She makes a compelling case to go beyond the proverbial random acts of kindness and to…