Bill Tammeus
Commentator
Bill Tammeus, a Presbyterian elder and former award-winning Faith columnist for The Kansas City Star, writes the daily "Faith Matters" blog for The Star's Web site and a column for The Presbyterian Outlook. His latest book is "Jesus, Pope Francis and a Protestant Walk into a Bar: Lessons for the Christian Church."
Stories by Bill Tammeus
Clergy Sex Abuse Survivor Reflects on His Reform Work
A 2002 series of Boston Globe articles turned a scandal about Catholic priests who sexually abuse children (and bishops who protect those priests) into a national story. The Globe, however, wasn’t the first newspaper to expose this reprehensible crime. Credit for that goes to the independent, Kansas City-based National Catholic Reporter. NCR was writing about…
KC Live Theater Provides Alternative to What People Miss in Shrinking Congregations
When the Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre presents “Freud’s Last Session” the weekend of Nov. 22, the audience will hear a debate about God’s existence by actors playing Sigmund Freud, founder of psychoanalysis, and C.S. Lewis, one of the 20th Century’s most important Christian writers. But the goal won’t be to convince anyone of any religious, spiritual,…
From Monasteries To Mainstream: Some Find Healing And Purpose Through Spiritual Direction
Several years ago, the Rev. Lisa Senuta, now an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Kansas, became the rector of a church on Chicago’s ritzy North Shore. But, she says, “about 18 months in, the place was just eating my lunch. I was having panic attacks, which was very unusual for me.” So she got…
New Pastor Brings Generations of Faith to the Pulpit
The new senior pastor whom my congregation, Second Presbyterian Church, will welcome to the pulpit this weekend brings with her a family legacy that may seem unusual. The Rev. Sarah Are Speed is not simply the daughter of Carol and the Rev. Tom Are, former senior pastor at Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, she’s…
‘False Certitude’ Defines Our Religion, and Our Politics
Institutional religion has set a pattern for the sad reality of political divisions among our citizens — encouraging a false certitude about what we believe.
Kansas City Rabbis Feel Local Impact of Israel-Hamas War
Kansas City rabbis are grappling with the effects of the ongoing war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas and a surge of antisemitism.
KC Cemeteries Adapt to Changes in Dealing with Death
Kansas City cemetery operators are adapting to changes in how we deal with death. The biggest challenge is maintaining burial grounds of those who came before.
Houses of Worship Define the Landscape of Kansas City
Houses of worship have played a key role in shaping the landscape of Kansas City. It is a story of almost constant change.
Kansas City Looks to Faith Leaders as First Responders
When catastrophe slams Kansas City, among the first responders are faith leaders stepping forward to offer comfort to the afflicted.
Dead Pets and Grief: Faith Leaders Embrace New Chaplaincy
Faith leaders are increasingly embracing the field of "pet chaplaincy" to help people deal with grief following the death of beloved pets.