Diane Bowers – The BTS Center

Contributor: Diane Bowers

Diane Bowers is theologian, writer, teacher, and an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She is currently, as they say, between calls. Born in Africa to Lutheran missionary parents, she has a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology, a particular love for the Reformation, and is an adjunct instructor at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. Diane lives in Berkeley with her husband Hans-Christian where together they spend too much time on Facebook, discuss politics, ride trains, and share a mutual love of California wine, food, architecture and landscape.

Playing Chicken with Care for the Earth

Why I Wonder about Wonder-Filled Approaches to Environmental Crisis

Diane Bowers (Giving Up, Giving In, Giving Hope | March 2019). Posted in 21stCenturyReligion, Featured Article.

On Saturday, members of the congregation gathered to unpack our stuff into a new space. Gathered in the fellowship hall during a break in our activity came the specific and anxious question, “Who is going to make the coffee for hospitality hour after worship?” Embedded in the question was the asker’s intention to no longer be the only one who did it, and concern... Read more

Small, But Not Alone

Collaborative Parishes Offer Hope and New Life for Small Churches

Diane Bowers (February 2018). Posted in 21stCenturyMinistry, 21stCenturyReligion, 21stCenturySpirituality, Small Church Vitality.

With few exceptions, Christian churches in America are in trouble. Membership has been trending slowly downward for decades with the most pronounced declines occurring in churches in the mainline Protestant tradition. I am not writing, however, to sound the alarm about the shrinking numbers of the faithful. I would guess that none of it is new to you. Nor am... Read more

Following Jesus Into the Resistance in 2017

Diane Bowers (January 2017). Posted in 21stCenturyCulture, 21stCenturyMission, Bearings Review 2017.

What a year it was. For many, including myself, 2016 had its share of joys and sorrows, but the election of Donald J. Trump as the 45th President of the United States of America overshadowed all else. In the wake of his unexpected victory, those who did not support Trump experienced shock that turned to distress, anxiety and fear. Millions participated in last-ditch... Read more

Is Donald Trump a Christian? Does it Matter?

Diane Bowers (February 2016). Posted in 21stCenturyCulture, 21stCenturySpirituality.

By now you undoubtedly know the basics of the story: Earlier this month Pope Francis made a historic six-day visit to Mexico during which he used all of his spiritual and moral influence, as well as international star-power, to lift up and decry the humanitarian crisis of forced migration northward. At the end of the trip a reporter asked Francis whether he... Read more

Announcements

As we shared in the November issue of Bearings, Elizabeth Drescher, friend and consulting scholar with The BTS Center from its earliest days, has recently put down her editor’s pen, wrapping up this project which has been her labor of love for the past five-plus years. We can’t let this moment pass without offering words of deep gratitude and praise for her skillful and spirited work as the primary steward of this publication, month after month, season after season. Read more …
With great joy, we are announcing the 15 recipients of Brave Change Planning Mini-Grants. Each of these $500 grants will help a community of faith or a faith-based organization to plan for a larger project, initiative, or transformation. We are excited about the array of projects, and we are grateful to partner with these faith communities and organizations by providing just a little bit of funding that may help to support and encourage their brave steps forward. Click here to view a brief description of the projects we are funding.
4/29/19 — The BTS Center Board of Trustees announces the selection of The Rev. Allen Ewing-Merrill as our new Executive Director, following a national search. He will begin his work with the Center on July 1, succeeding The Rev. Dr. Robert Grove-Markwood who will retire at the end of June. Read more …

Twitter

The BTS Center @TheBTSCenter·

The December issue of Bearings, the online magazine of The BTS Center, is our last. With this issue, we celebrate, we give thanks, we bid farewell, and we embrace the spiritual practice of letting go. #bearings #celebrate #farewell
https://t.co/aebf1vDhQ0

The BTS Center @TheBTSCenter·

Here's the November issue of Bearings, the online magazine of The BTS Center, focusing on the theme of Brave Change. This month, our contributors explore the role of uncertainty, risk, discovery, and faith in moving life in new and unexpected directions.

https://t.co/BISp6xgKOV

The BTS Center @TheBTSCenter·

Invitation to participate in a Book Study Group focusing on @JimAntal's #Climate #Church, Climate World: How People of #Faith Must Work for #Change. In-person group for people who live in #PortlandME and online group for anyone anywhere. Three sessions.
https://t.co/tHGQEVLZXI

The BTS Center
97 India Street
Portland, Maine 04101

1-207-774-5212
info@thebtscenter.org

website by: designlab