The World Doesn't Need a Polite Church

"The World Doesn't Need a Polite Church"

Sermon by The Rev. Kelley Hudlow

September 21, 2025


My grandmother told me never to talk about religion, politics, or money, but Jesus of Nazareth did not grow up in Mobile, Alabama. The gospels don’t give us a polite Jesus, and today’s parable talks about all three at once. In the story of the shrewd manager, Jesus makes us wrestle with money, power, and allegiance—whether to God or to the world. This parable leaves no place to hide, because all of us know what it is to have resources, debt, fear, dishonesty, or reputation to protect. The dishonest manager used resources to create community built on forgiveness and care; how much more can we, followers of Jesus, do if we do it on purpose? The world doesn’t need a polite church—it needs a bold church, shrewd in choosing God, sharing resources, forgiving, and building the kingdom of God.


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At All Saints, our ministries thrive because of the faithful people who give their time, gifts, and hearts to serve others. Each volunteer carries a story of how this work has shaped their own life, deepened their faith, and brought the mission of our church into the world in tangible ways. Through Volunteer Highlights, we invite you to learn more about those who serve among us. By celebrating these stories, we not only honor the individuals who serve, but also invite each of us to see how God is at work in our common life together.
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A New Series on Zoom, “Transformed Prayer, Persons, Theology, and World." Beginning Tuesday, September 23 at 7:00pm , the Rev. Ed Bacon will lead a weekly online gathering on Zoom, all about Contemplative Christianity.  The series will explore how this tradition offers discernment for moral action and an alternative to viewing God as outside us, revealing instead the God who is within us as One. To request Zoom information, email bwallace@allsaintsbhm.org
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This fall, we invite you to join us for Faith & The Modern Family , an engaging series that takes a fresh look at the intersection of faith and family in today’s world. Each week, a different speaker will lead discussion on timely and relevant topics designed to help us grow in faith together. The series runs from September 14 through December 14 in Room 223, in between services .  Here’s the schedule of upcoming sessions: Sept 14 – The Rev. Ranie Neislar Sept 21 – Josh Reeves Sept 28 – The Rev. Ed Bacon Oct 5 – Emily Holm Oct 12 – The Rev. Ranie Neislar Oct 19 – Josh Reeves Oct 26 – Drew Hataway Nov 2 – No Class Nov 9 – David Smith Nov 16 – Chris Couch Nov 23 – No Class Nov 30 – Susanna Whitsett Dec 7 – The Rev. Kelley Hudlow Dec 14 – Memily Colvin Drop in anytime, each week features a new topic, so you can come when it works for you. For more details, contact the Rev. Ranie Neislar at rneislar@allsaintsbhm.org .
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