December 19, 1999: “Are You Really Looking for Jesus?”
In this Christmas sermon, Rev. Murray addresses the differences between the practice of Christianity out of duty versus out of love. He poses the question, “Are you coming to church or are …
Author: dheller
Medicine, Masculinity and Marketing: Trends to Watch in Religion in 2019
In the past year, we have seen our 2018 trends to watch come to fruition with stories of the supernatural, trust in institutions, activist healers, faith-based political organizing and women stepping up …
How Can Christians Support Donald Trump?
This piece was originally published by Religion News Service. As a student of American evangelicalism, I am frequently asked how Christians can support Donald Trump. I stop myself from going into lecture …
Holy Spirit: A Progressive Episcopal Community in Silver Lake
Holy Spirit is a small, “off the books” experimental congregation affiliated with the Los Angeles Episcopal Diocese. Members describe in this video how Holy Spirit started as a home Bible-study group and …
Community Connection: Najuma Smith-Pollard on #MeToo in the Black Church
The USC Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement organized a meeting of women leaders in the Black Church about #MeToo this fall, prompting an article in the L.A. Times. Following the article, …
April 30, 2000: “Stand the Storm, It Won’t Be Long”
In this sermon, Rev. Murray compares dark or difficult periods in our lives to storms. “Storms make sailors…and when storms come, you don’t have to get stormy. You don’t have to raise …
Human Trafficking Reconsidered: Rethinking the Problem, Envisoning New Solutions
Human Trafficking Reconsidered: Rethinking the Problem, Envisoning New Solutions Kimberly Kay Hoang and Rhacel Salazar Parreñas, editors (Abe Books: 2014) This unique collection of original essays investigates …
April 25, 2004: “How Much is Enough?”
Reverend Murray speaks about how we have become consumed with materialism. We want too much and pursue only our own pleasure. We have to be careful to not become corrupted by greed. …
April 20, 1997: “Tipping, But Not Paying the Bill”
In this sermon, Rev. Murray emphasizes putting God first. He says “worry is a sin,” because “worry is trying to have two number one’s in your life.” However, he notes that while …
April 12, 1992: “Heaven Has a Cover Charge”
Pastor Murray encourages his congregation to be committed. “When there is no commitment, there is nothing at all,” he says. To get to heaven, there must be a lot of working, struggle …