Weekly Outlook - Taylor Swift, Roberts Rules, "Texts of Terror"

Dear Outlook readers,  I am a sucker for pop culture podcasts. I can tell you about the most recent Oscar-hopeful movie, how the Spice Girls got together, Black queer praise and criticism for Beyoncé's "Renaissance: A Film," and why "While You Were Sleeping" is a great Christmas movie. I enjoy reflecting on pop culture stories that have run parallel to and intersected with my own life.  In this same vein, I love end-of-the-year round-ups. The best movies, songs, and TV shows, the most memorable moments: I want to know it all. Yes, it's a bit hyperbolic, but it also serves as a mirror. What were we interested in this year? What stories shaped us? So, not surprisingly, I've created several end-of-the-year lists for the Outlook including our most popular book recommendations, the most-read articles, and staff favorites. Our top-performing articles tell the story of 2023 including topics like Taylor Swift, women's ordination, "texts of terror," Robert's Rules and ministry innovation. Our staff favorites list calls out the articles that we think are beautiful and maybe didn't get the readership we think they deserve, including U.S. Army veteran Ben Weakly's reflection on killing, trans woman and pastor Lucinda Isaac's essay on belonging, Dana Mould's essay on becoming a death doula, and more. I hope you join me as we reflect on 2023 through the stories we wrote and read. What do you want to read from the Outlook in 2024? Shoot me a note and let me know. In Christ, Rose Schrott Taylor Outlook digital content editor

Staff picks: Our favorite Outlook stories of 2023 by Rose Schrott Taylor  Church for ‘nones’: Meet the anti-dogma spiritual collectives emerging across the US by Kathryn Post The top 10 Outlook stories of 2023 by Rose Schrott Taylor The spiritual lessons of ‘The Crown’ by Jeffrey Salkin In case you missed it... Shattered illusions and sacred encounters: A journey through the woods In the woods, writes Karie Charlton, we find doors to new beginnings, even in the depths of winter. Where is Jesus? Asking "Where is Jesus?" can help us find love and light in unexpected places and people, writes Bobby Hulme-Lippert. Reflections at an ordination There is no sure-fire recipe guaranteed to produce faith, Ronald Byars writes. Maybe that’s why so many testify that their faith came as a gift. The top Outlook book recommendations of 2023 Whether it's in the magazine, on the website or in our monthly book newsletter, Book Review Editor Amy Pagliarella always has a reading recommendation. These are the top 10 books our readers decided to purchase in 2023. Receiving This Life: Practicing the Deepest Belonging Kara Root’s message is this: Receive what is. Receive what is difficult. Receive what God is doing. Receive what God has already done. Receive what will be. Receive it all. — Philip J. Reed Cozy post-Christmas reading Here's a short list of books appropriate for that quiet reading time after Christmas. Enjoy! — Amy Pagliarella