January Highlights from The Thoughtful Christian.com

January, 2010

Dear Thoughtful Christians,


Were you successful at being thoughtful this Christmas season? In your shopping, driving, cooking, toasting, praying, giving, receiving, hosting, eating, talking, listening, waiting, pushing, did you live up to your image of how a thoughtful Christian should be and act? Just how should a thoughtful Christian be and act?


We receive many positive comments about the name of this program. Christians resonate with the title. It seems to represent our earnest desire to faithfully engage our messy, complex world in a way that demonstrates the best Christian practices. I spent some time this Christmas looking over some notes I have taken from some of your comments over the years. According to you, a Thoughtful Christian is someone who

• Breaks down barriers that divide
• Tolerates differences of opinion while striving to understand others
• Articulates a position on an issue after sincerely listening to all sides
• Humbly learns from others and admits what is unknown
• Acts on belief and is willing to take risks
• Seeks to be part of God’s reconciling plan to heal the whole world

Thank you for the inspiration! May our 2010 New Year resolutions include these goals to be more thoughtful Christians! Our staff promises to work with our talented group of authors to pick issues and themes to help us meet our resolution. We may not always live up to our goals, but hey, who ever lived up to their resolution of going to the gym five times a week? Hopefully, we’ll stick at this more important goal for longer.

New Retreat Essays for Planning any Retreat
These four FREE essays will help retreat planners understand the basic purposes for retreats and how to go about creating a plan.

• Church Retreats and Faith Formation
• Essentials of Retreat Planning
• Ideas for Worship, Play, Community Building

New Retreat Designs
This new feature allows leaders to download a document that includes specific plans for leading a one-, two-, or three-day retreat for your church group using Thoughtful Christian studies. Five retreat designs are offered to begin this new feature and new ones will be posted regularly. Below are the titles for the first five.

• Reflecting on Our Lifelong Journey with God—A two-day retreat for older adults
• Developing a Green Action Plan for Your Congregation—A three-day retreat for church leaders
• Where Is God Leading Me?—A three-day retreat for youth
• Exploring Spiritual Practices—A two-day retreat for adults

January Editor’s Pick—What Our Christian Neighbors Believe

We often make jokes about different denominations based on a thin slice of truth. But can you really explain the difference between a Lutheran and an Episcopalian? The United Church of Christ and the Presbyterian Church? Take some time to learn about the backgrounds and beliefs of some of the most well-known denominations in our country. We’ve thrown in a fun two-session study on the Shakers as well. If you use all of the studies listed below, you will have sixteen weeks of study material. You may use these in any order.

What do Baptists Believe? This two-session study addresses some of the major beliefs most Baptists hold dear and traces the history of the major groupings of Baptists from their beginnings until today.

What do Episcopalians Believe? In session 1, participants are introduced to Episcopalian belief through examining the history and development of the Episcopal Church within the Anglican Communion. Session 2 will discuss belief as actively revealed in the worship of the church through the American Book of Common Prayer, the central organizing element of the Episcopal Church.

What do Lutherans Believe? This two-session study examines the life of Martin Luther and the theology of the denomination.

What do Presbyterians Believe? In session 1, participants are familiarized with Presbyterians and learn what they believe about God, sin, and the Bible. The goal of session 2 is to educate participants about the Presbyterian understanding of salvation.


What do Shakers Believe? In this study, participants will learn about some of the more interesting aspects of the Shaker religion and will discuss the Shakers’ dedication to the concepts of equality, simplicity, and constant devotion to God. And yes, we’ll touch on that celibacy issue as well!

What do United Methodists Believe? The first session reviews the importance of Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience for Methodists. The second session introduces participants to the core beliefs of the Methodist tradition.


What does the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Believe? This two-session study traces the history and beliefs of this denomination through the generations.

What does the United Church of Christ Believe? This two-session study acquaints participants with the all-American denomination the United Church of Christ (UCC), an amalgamated denomination begun by the Pilgrims.


Recent and Upcoming Studies

• Learning Forgiveness: A Lenten Study—Adult study
• Meet Martin Luther King Jr.—Youth study
• Meet George Washington—Adult Study
• Make Love Not War: A History of Valentine’s Day—Adult Study
• The Dating Game: How to Survive the Roller Coaster—Youth Study

We wish you a very good New Year! And thank you for your support!


Peace,

David L. Maxwell, Editor
The Thoughtful Christian



Click on any of the links above to be redirected to the site for more information.


Join the conversation by reviewing a favorite study. Follow us on twitter and facebook or subscribe to our blog.
Connecting with Women in the Bible—A three-day retreat for womenWhat's the Point of Church Retreats?Reaches out to others in need