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 (). 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 (). 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 (). 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 (). 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

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