Tribal Church

Carol Howard Merritt surveys the religious landscape

Systemic distortion

Have we embedded a cultural bias into our institutions?

Jan 27, 2012 by Carol Howard Merritt

We hear stories of systemic discrimination on a constant basis. What are we going to do about it? 

Is there wisdom in fearing God?

What can we learn from this ancient understanding of our divine relationship?

Jan 25, 2012 by Carol Howard Merritt

Do we play semantic games when we try to explain the words away? The mention of fear is typically wrapped up in abusive relationships, but we can also fear disappointing someone we love dearly.

Saving the family

What are some real steps that we can take to help men and women start and preserve families in our country?

Jan 22, 2012 by Carol Howard Merritt

So can we put Newt Gingrich's personal life and rhetoric aside and focus on how we can fix our families? Can we move the discussion of family away from demonizing same-gender relationships and taking rights away from women? Can we have an honest discussion about what we can do to help American families?

Supporting startup congregations

Jan 20, 2012 by Carol Howard Merritt

I learned in seminary that a church is a place where we proclaim the word and administer the sacraments. I’m now learning there’s another criterion: financial sustainability.

Love made visible

Struggling with the question of vocation

Jan 15, 2012 by Carol Howard Merritt

Once you finally get a job, then you need to get a “real” job. Then you can expect to be laid off at least once in your life. Then you have to retool and enter the workforce again. Then even if you get your “dream” job, you might come to the realization that you’re destroying your family and your personal life, and the dream becomes a bit of a nightmare. Then you begin to realign all your goals. Then you begin to look toward retirement, and you begin to imagine what your vocation is going to be when you retire.

Forgive us our debts

Are preparation committees taking student loan debt seriously?

Jan 14, 2012 by Carol Howard Merritt

You might be on a committee that thinks that a candidate needs that extra training before they ought to be ordained. They could use some time in a hospital setting or in a real world setting before they earn that REV before their name. If you are, then let me tell you something that the seminary student under your care can’t tell you: students can’t afford it any longer.

Getting #Married

An interview with Meredith Gould

Jan 07, 2012 by Carol Howard Merritt

Within days of her wedding, Meredith Gould started writing Getting #Married to explain the why as well as the how of using social media to celebrate the sacred. 

Generational roadblocks

What sort of obstacles keep a new generation of people away?

Dec 28, 2011 by Carol Howard Merritt

When we want to build intergenerational congregations, what do we do to signal to a new generation that they're not welcome? What are those unconscious blocks that tell them they're not welcome?

A season of contentment

Dec 27, 2011 by Carol Howard Merritt

I have an overwhelming need to be useful. I have this longing to do something with my life. To make these short days mean something. To live into the fullness of God’s intent for me.

Turning 40

Describing the path behind me

Dec 21, 2011 by Carol Howard Merritt

As we’re all in the midst of Advent longing, I realize that I’m turning 40 in a couple of days. Which puts me in an odd position, since I write and speak about ministering with people in their 20s and 30s.