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Jody HarringtonLet’s take a look at five Presbyterian bloggers, each with unique style, content and point of view worthy of reading.
John Edward Harris, a New York City area pastor, writes a blog that reads more like a collection of feature stories. Summit to Shore is true to its description: “theological and philosophical reflections on everything between summit to shore...” Harris shares his experiences kayaking, climbing and pastoring. A recurring feature offers posts called “Welcome to My Neighborhood,” interviews of people who live and work in his diverse community. These are insightful, respectful and full of human interest.
Recently Harris witnessed a fatal motorcycle accident, which he wrote about in Summit to Shore. The victim’s relatives read and commented on his blog post. When he learned that he was the only person with first-hand knowledge of the accident, he exchanged emails and phone calls with the family. They invited him to their home; he accepted and wrote a poignant post about the experience.
Reverend Mike’s House of Homiletic Hash, dedicated to the “Barthian proposition that sermons should be written with the Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other,” is by Mike Murdock, a Charlotte Presbytery pastor at large. Hash posts frequently comment on current news stories or share favorite quotes from theologians or literature. Murdock is a tent-making pastor whose day job is as an engineer, so his comments provide a unique perspective on the church and church life.
Sinaiticus is by Ray McCalla, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, Neb. The name was inspired by the Codex Sinaiticus, the oldest, most complete copy of the Bible extant. McCalla says the name reminds him “that my Christian faith is based on the Holy Scriptures, which are both ancient and trustworthy.” Sinaiticus does not shy away from addressing difficult issues such as the place of covenanted same-sex partnerships in the Christian community or hot political debates.
Sarahlynn, who blogs Yeah But Houdini Didn’t Have These Hips, describes herself as a “feminist, liberal, Presbyterian and mom to two amazing girls, one of whom has Down’s syndrome.” Her background in publishing and as a PK (preacher’s kid) make this blogger a unique and effective voice for younger Presbyterians and their concerns.
Blogotional is by John Schroeder of La Crescenta, Calif. A former seminarian and an elder and deacon, Schroeder wants his blog to “get people to read short, devotional Christian thoughts about the news of the day.” He posts excerpts from news stories, cartoons, sermons, theological or other church commentary and whatever else strikes his fancy, adding his own pithy remarks along the way.
— Jody Harrington is a Presbyterian elder, who blogs at Quotidian Grace
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