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~ Tim

When Tim and I were initially creating the Different Voice website in the fall of 2008, we spent quite a bit of time coming up with our Core Values. The core value I have found myself thinking a lot about lately is Change. “We believe God is continually active in the world and that God is still speaking. Change is critical to growth.” I would add to this statement, that change is inevitable. (Change is the only constant, as I remind myself frequently.) Change, however, even when it is a positive change, is rarely easy.

It is with mixed feelings that I write this, my last scheduled email for Different Voice. I am excited and energized by the possibilities of the future. And yet, Different Voice has been a wonderful experience on my journey, and the decision to move on has been a difficult one. As I have pondered these things, two words have repeatedly popped into my head – Thank You.

DifferentVoice.com officially got its start way back on June 21st of 2000. Yep, that's right. We predated just about every single website for progressive Christians out there. This was the logo that was thrown together by Tim—who had the dream of creating a website for progressive Christians—for the original website. (Yeah, a career for Tim in graphic design is probably less than likely!)

The original website featured about 25 articles and blog posts altogether, mostly on topics related to youth ministry. For a variety of reasons, the site languished and was eventually removed. But the dream remained.

Flash forward to 2008, when Different Voice, LLC was recreated. There were still almost no websites for progressive Christian educators, though a few general websites for spiritual progressives had finally sprouted here and there. Facebook was just starting to become a place where progressive Christians got connected to one another. We started Different Voice together to offer resources, information and training to clergy and laity, volunteers and professional educators.

Here at Different Voice, we are thankful for you, our readers and subscribers! We thank for your support and input. We are also thankful for the many ways that each one of you is in ministry in God's world.

Happy Thanksgiving from Tim and Sally!    

This week we are fine-tuning some changes for our daily emails. During this time, we are sending out articles from our archives. We invite you to spend some time browsing through our previous blogs. You never know what you might find!

~Sally and Tim

We're putting together a list of the top 100 books every progressive Christian educator should own. What books have found a permanent place on your own shelf? Please post a comment with some of your personal favorites (author, title at least, but you can provide more too if you wish, such as why you recommend the books.)

Update: We've now transferred everything to the new server. It's kinda like moving to a new house, if house movers set up everything pretty much exactly the way you had it before. Yea!!

DifferentVoice.com is moving to a new server this week, and we'll be doing some testing and upgrades during the week of 9/27. New blog posts will not be added this week, and if you add comments, they will most likely not be visible once the move is completed. If you find the site to be unavailable temporarily, we appreciate your patience as we undergo some upgrades!  ~ Tim and Sally 

Tuesday, March 31 will mark the 100th edition of The Daily Voice. So, we thought it was a perfect time to celebrate...and offer you a chance to win! We've got 3 signed books by one of Tim's favorite authors, Bill McKibben, to give away. (Winners can choose one book from those available.) To enter, just do one or both of the following:

1. Pay for your membership to Different Voice (remember, we have a "set your own membership" fee.) When you do, we'll also send you access to a hidden page on our site where we occasionally post freebies like ebooks, software, and other goodies.

2. Create an account on DifferentVoice.com. (If you have already created an account, you can enter by just sending us an email.) Doing so is free, and enables you to post comments and upload curriculum to the site.

Rules: Enter by paying for your membership to Different Voice or by registering a free account at differentvoice.com. Contest deadline is 5 PM CST, 3/31/09. One entry person. 3 winners will be randomly selected from those who enter. The first person chosen will be given their choice of three books; the second person chosen will be given their choice of two books; the third person chosen will receive the final book. Open to residents of the U.S., except where prohibited by law.

Across the nation on Tuesday, progressives spoke loudly and clearly. They are ready for change, declaring that the status quo has got to go. What an exciting time to be alive! What an accomplishment we have witnessed!

Progressives are speaking loudly and clearly in our churches, too...

Each weekday, we'll post a brief reflection, resource review, idea, special offer, or other content which will help you grow or serve your congregation more fully. We invite you to start a new daily habit as we help you to celebrate life, nurture spirituality, and inspire change.