“We Don’t Need to Be There Nearly as Often” Mark Michael October 22, 2020 Commentary, Editorial, Ministry, The Episcopal Church By Mark Michael News broke recently that the Diocese of Chicago plans to sell its 30,000-square-foot headquarters in the city’s central business district. The building has other tenants, but the diocesan dir... Read More...
Introducing The Living Word Mark Michael September 3, 2020 Commentary, Ministry, The Episcopal Church By Mark Michael Like so many of my colleagues, I never planned to be a televangelist. But with the assistance of our tech-savvy assistant rector, we quickly collected spotlights, tripods, mixers, and microph... Read More...
A Leader, Not a Follower: Bishop Kemper and Apostolic Ministry Mark Michael May 24, 2020 Commentary, Editorial, Ministry, The Episcopal Church By Mark Michael The Sunday after the Ascension, May 24, marks a century and half since the death of the Rt. Rev. Jackson Kemper, the Episcopal Church’s first missionary bishop. The current crisis won’t allow for a proper celebration, though perhaps a few pi... Read More...
Jasmine for the Queen of Heaven Mark Michael December 27, 2019 Art, Editorial, The Episcopal Church A bouquet of jasmine is a fitting gift for Mary, the Queen of Heaven.
Partners in Righteous Work Mark Michael November 18, 2019 Commentary, Contributors, Editorial, The Episcopal Church Fellowship is at the heart of the divine economy, a partnership in well-doing.
Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates Mark Michael October 15, 2019 Commentary, Editorial, The Episcopal Church Those who take up such work rarely win wealth and glory by it, for all the sacrifice it demands. The things they produce, the art that serves the liturgy of God’s people, is a common work of praise, an expression of love. “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy Name be the praise” (Ps. 115:1).
Taught by Strange Words Mark Michael September 10, 2019 Commentary, Editorial, The Episcopal Church Sometimes a strange word in a Bible reading or a liturgical text may be a stumbling block to one “almost persuaded” (Acts 26:28). We discover new things in old texts, or hear words intended for building up used only to tear down. Just how much time do we have to explain in an age of shortened attention spans and sporadic Sunday attendance?
Truth Springs Up: New Beginnings Mark Michael July 23, 2019 Commentary, Editorial, The Episcopal Church I hope that The Living Church will continue to bear witness to the truth of God that springs up from the earth. It is our aim to seek out and lift up the ways that ordinary men and women respond to God’s call to proclaim the Gospel and to serve their neighbors in love.
