The Methodist Revolution: Q&A with Bishop Ricardo Pereira
“Our church is a church that has joy,” Bishop Ricardo Pereira said. “We have learned how to love – even in the midst of problems – through Jesus Christ. We don’t allow any obstacles to stop us. People come with their drums, with their guitars, and people are happy....
Happy Birthday Wanda Jackson
By Steve Beard At the age of 78, the righteous Queen of Rockabilly is still tearing it up with 60 to 80 concerts per year. Considered to be one of the first women to record rock and roll, Jackson is a sassy music legend who toured with Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis,...
Free Speech Under Fire
By Steve Beard As a budding young journalist and editor, my thoughts on the First Amendment and free speech — even outrageously offensive speech — were shaped by Nat Hentoff, columnist for the left-wing Village Voice. Hentoff was a prolific contrarian, jazz critic,...
Reviving the X-Files
A six-episode revival of the sci-fi hit The X-Files was recently announced that would reunite actors David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson after 13 years as FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. Coming from drastically differing vantage points, the pair attempt...
A Mighty Little Luther
By Steve Beard An astounding 34,000 mini Martin Luther action figures were sold out within the first 72 hours of availability. The smiling Reformer toy made by Playmobil was created as a kitchy keepsake for German tourist boards and Bavarian Lutherans to mark the...
Denzel Washington: “Put God first”
By Steve Beard Denzel Washington’s rousing commencement address to graduates of Dillard University was met with amens and applause. The Academy award winning actor’s May 9 speech went over well at the historically black university in New Orleans. Washington’s advice...
Soul man: The sweet sound of Al Green
By Steve Beard When British musician Elvis Costello was asked if he had ever had a religious experience, he responded, “No, but I have heard Al Green.” Not a bad compliment coming from Costello, a musical legend in his own right. Al Green rose to international fame...
I, too, thought the world was coming to an end. Here’s what ‘Kimmy Schmidt’ gets right.
By Alissa Wilkinson The poster for “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” features a background crowd of grey-clad New Yorkers scuttling along in the rain. In front of them, Kimmy (played by Ellie Kemper) — in magenta pants, a yellow cardigan and purple sneakers — is jumping...
Barbarians in our Midst: How the Irish Spread the Gospel
George G. Hunter III is distinguished professor of evangelism and church growth at Asbury Theological Seminary. He served as the founding dean of Asbury's E. Stanley Jones School of World Mission and Evangelism. Dr. Hunter is the author of numerous well-known books...
Ramps in Cathedrals
By Steve Beard When you hear about ramps being built in sanctuaries, it’s usually to provide easier access for wheelchairs. Outside of Amsterdam, however, the ramps in one abandoned church are there to help young skaters get gnarly air. “Two dozen scruffy...