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Eric H. F. Law
Kaleidoscope Institute
Founder and Executive Director of the Kaleidoscope Institute, the mission of which is to provide resources to equip church leaders to create sustainable churches and communities. For more than 25 years, he has provided transformative and comprehensive training and resources for churches and ministries in all the major church denominations in the United States and Canada. He is the author of 9 books including The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb, and his latest, Holy Currency Exchange: 101 Stories, Songs, Actions and Visions of Missional and Sustainable Ministries.
Interests: Eric is a playwright, photographer and composer of church music.
Recent Activity
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Join the Rev. Dr. Eric H. F. Law and Kaleidoscope Institute Associates to learn and explore how to maximize the flow of money currencies for your ministries. Saturday, February 25, 2023 8:00 am to 12:00 noon Pacific Time on Zoom A HOLISTIC APPROACH FOR THE MINISTRY OF MONEY THAT FLOWS FROM HOLY CURRENCIES’ CYCLE OF BLESSINGS. In this time we will: Explore stewardship of money through the flow of the other Holy Currencies especially of Relationships and Truth. Introduce faithful and entrepreneurial ways of increasing financial exchanges through revisioning and creating new as well as current ministries. Reclaim the original... Continue reading
Posted Feb 2, 2023 at The Sustainist
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In a diverse multi-contextual world, preachers are challenged in how to connect the Word with a community of people with very different cultural experiences and backgrounds in the same sermon. For example, what does a sermon sound like when you have people from different political affirmation, racial background and economic status listening? You are invited to join The Rev. Dr. Eric H. F. Law, the Founder and Innovator of the Kaleidoscope Institute, for a weekly Tuesday gathering of preachers in multi-contextual communities. If you are not a preacher, please consider forwarding this invitation to any preachers you know. Come spend... Continue reading
Posted Jan 18, 2023 at The Sustainist
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In our polarized world epitomized by the people’s reactions to such events as the killing of George Floyd and the 2020 U.S. election, it’s easy to become paralyzed with fear and hopelessness. RECREATE is a collection of songs that address these divisive events from community, political and spiritual perspectives. Here is the list of song titles: Recreate Uneasy Glory Winner-Loser Who Tells Us Hold On-Reach Out Hand on my Shoulder I Love-I Am Slow Me Down Small Things RECREATE will be released on December 16, 2022 on all the major streaming services. I will host a listening party that day... Continue reading
Posted Dec 7, 2022 at The Sustainist
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Worrying about family members and friends at Thanksgiving when politics and hot issues come up? Try this welcome speech I have written for you: “Welcome to our home. I am so thankful for you, my family and friends, who have so much in common and yet are so very diverse and different. We want our home to be a gracious place where everyone can be who he or she is. Living in an increasingly divided and polarized world, we often avoid sharing who we are and our beliefs during holiday gatherings fearing that we might cause conflict or trouble. But... Continue reading
Posted Nov 22, 2022 at The Sustainist
One of the most important truth-discerning skills I learned as a child was counting. My earliest memory of my mother was her teaching me how to count to 10 using my fingers. That was how I knew I had 10 fingers: I counted to 10. And of course, I assumed that everyone in the world had 10 fingers until I met a friend in grade school who had 11 fingers. I knew the truth, in this case a rare exception, that not everyone has 10 fingers, by counting with my friend. Counting is the first thing we learn that would... Continue reading
Posted Feb 8, 2021 at The Sustainist
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Just as healthcare is essential for a person’s physical wellness, we need to provide truthcare to nurture and develop our social, spiritual and economic wellness. In the internet age, when millions of people read and hear the same thing over and over again, over time, they believe that it is true. This is not healthy. When a lie was propagated that way like a virus, it had led to violence and destruction of relationships, properties, communities and institutions. I did a quick search on hashtags that have the word “truth” in it and many of the posts and tweets were... Continue reading
Posted Jan 18, 2021 at The Sustainist
As I watched the congressional impeachment debate, I heard many appealed for unity. The argument went like this – to avoid further division, lets forgive and forget. Having experienced at least 4 years of intentional divisive speeches and actions by the same people who now called for unity, it felt a bit ingenuous to me. The reason why we were divided in the first place stemmed from the lie that the election was stolen especially after all the states had certified the election results. This was why people gathered at the capital on Jan 6. This was why they invaded... Continue reading
Posted Jan 14, 2021 at The Sustainist
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For the people of the United States of America, we are in the middle of a presidential election. In fact, many have already voted. But there might be people who still have not made up their minds, or who are considering changing their mind. So, in this blog post, I am providing a way to help people decide or to be a little more sure of their decision. I admit this method is a little brainy but this is a very important decision and using our brain in addition to our emotions is not a bad idea. You may use... Continue reading
Posted Oct 15, 2020 at The Sustainist
Who are the "we" in "We the People?" Many of my friends were upset by the first so-called Presidential Debate. My response is: Don't let your upset-ness stop you from staying engaged. Instead, channel that energy toward discernment. If you are an U.S. citizen, you have the power to choice with your vote. The question is: how do you decide? Begin with the first line of the Constitution. Appreciate how radical that is to begin such a nation-forming document with "We the People" and not "I the dictator" or "We the bullies." Even though the "We" had evolved and changed... Continue reading
Posted Oct 1, 2020 at The Sustainist
In this uncertain no-touch time, I pray that this song will help people experience the up-close and personal Joe Biden - his kindness, gentle voice, caring touch. The verses are inspired by the stories of Brayden Harrington (the young man who stuttered and Jacquelyn Brittany (the elevator security guard). If you appreciate this song, please share with others and make a contribution to Joe's campaign at: https://joebiden.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jun9PO3oLCk Ode to Joe (Biden) by Eric H. F. Law You put your hand on my shoulder and you whisper in my ear, "Hey friend, you got nothing to fear. If you tell... Continue reading
Posted Sep 22, 2020 at The Sustainist
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"It began with the simple hope that love can help in community. That hope led to a social enterprise called Thistle Farms and that led to learning that we reap a hundredfold the seeds that are sown in a loving community. I became a student of herbs, teas, and trees because of my work with women. I am a farmer, not because I grow plants well, but because I love all of creation and tend to the parts of it in my own vineyard. Healing on this path is the central sacrament." Becca Stevens, Letters from the Farm. Join us... Continue reading
Posted Jul 31, 2020 at The Sustainist
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"So no mater how singularly focused we may be on our worthy goals of peace justice, and equality, they actually can't happen without an undergirding sense that we belong to each other. Seek first the kinship of God, then watch what happens." Fr. Greg Boyle wrote in his book, Barking to the Choir. Join us on August 6 at the Kaleidoscope Summer Online Institute and learn from Fr. Greg Boyle, the founder of Homeboy Industries. We will have amazing and insightful conversation about the Power of Radical Kinship. Of course, we will also learn how the kinship-based social businesses sustain... Continue reading
Posted Jul 30, 2020 at The Sustainist
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"... seeing diversity as proof of new life can become a powerful tool for our emotional journey. [This] change in perspective can be so powerful that it could bring as much comfort as suddenly recognizing a street when we're lost in an unknown place." Doug Avilesbernal wrote this in his book: Welcoming Community. He is the current Executive Minister of Evergreen Association of American Baptist Churches, which is an faith organization that began with making the vision of diversity as proof of new life a reality. "Everyone was invited to build the table, set the table, decide the menu, and... Continue reading
Posted Jul 29, 2020 at The Sustainist
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Braver Angels is a citizens’ organization uniting red and blue Americans in a working alliance to depolarize America. According to their website: We try to understand the other side’s point of view, even if we don’t agree with it. We engage those we disagree with, looking for common ground and ways to work together. We support principles that bring us together rather than divide us. When I read Braver Angels' mission statement, I immediately realized that Braver Angels and the Kaleidoscope Institute share a common vision for creating brave and gracious space for dialogue. At our Summer Institute, we will... Continue reading
Posted Jul 28, 2020 at The Sustainist
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I am so excited about the conversations I will have, during our Summer Institute, with amazing people like Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Fr. Greg Boyle, Rev. Becca Stevens, Dr. Alexia Salvatierra, Dean Kelly Brown Douglas, Rev. Rudy Rasmus and many more. Take a sabbath and join me, Aug 3-13. You can register for one day or for the whole event or anything in between. Learn about creating social business/ministries from the founder of Homeboy Industries and Thistle Farm. Learn how to create a truly multicultural community from Evergreen. Learn about faith-rooted community organization from Alexia Salvatierra. If you are a... Continue reading
Posted Jul 8, 2020 at The Sustainist
“In faithfulness to our Savior who lived a life of non-violence and sacrificial love, we align ourselves with those seeking justice for the death of George Floyd and countless others through the sacred act of peaceful protest.” This the end of one of the first statements that Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde of the Diocese of Washington made in response to President Trump’s deployment of the millitary in riot gear using tear gas and force to clear the Lafayette Square so he could walk over and stand in front of an Episcopal church holding up the Bible. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry... Continue reading
Posted Jun 4, 2020 at The Sustainist
I am grateful for Pastor Adam Ericksen of Clackamas United Church for sponsoring the 3-part book discussion on my new book: Fear Not: Living Grace and Truth in a Frightened World In this conversation, we explore how we can discern which are the real fears that we need to take action and which are the fake fears that seek to manipulate us to give up of our right, money and power. Why is wearing a mask become a political issue? What fears are being triggered that caused us to act on this "issue?" Who stands to gain from making this... Continue reading
Posted May 28, 2020 at The Sustainist
Are you a fear-conqueror, fear-bearer or a fear-miner? In this pandemic time, how we deal with our fear is essential to our spiritual and social wellness. In this part 2 of the Fear Not: Living Grace and Truth in a Frightened World book discussion, we continue to explore how we can face our fear and mine from it the gems of ministry and deeper relationship with God. If you can see this video here, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-3Fc86QFDM This discussion series is sponsored by Clackamas United Church of Christ, Oregon. See part one from the previous blog post. I hope to... Continue reading
Posted May 21, 2020 at The Sustainist
This is part one of a 3-part book discussion on my book Fear Not: Living Grace and Truth in a Frightened World. I had a great time connecting the first couple of chapters of the book to constructive ways of dealing with our fears during the Covid-19 Pandemic. The series is sponsored by Clackamas United Church of Christ in Oregon. The moderator is Pastor Adam Ericksen. If you can't see the video here, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkPti3Q_cm8 Continue reading
Posted May 14, 2020 at The Sustainist
I dedicate this new song, Better Angels, to the creative and courageous frontline heroes during this uncertain and troubled time; this song is inspired by them and Abraham Lincoln's amazing words. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8diH3vci5t4 Better Angels by Eric H. F. Law Lately I’ve seen many better angels Touching hearts without touching hands Playing unplanned concerts without a band Off’ring care and courage without demand Better angels come Hovering over this troubled land Lately I’ve seen many better angels Building up what’s been broken down Searching for the lost who’s yet to be found Spreading wings of kindness soothing the ground Better angels... Continue reading
Posted May 4, 2020 at The Sustainist
A friend sent me the words of Julian of Norwich - All shall be well, all manner of things shall be well - after I was diagnosed as having cancer. These comforting words stayed with me while I was recovering from surgery and at the same time, the stay-at-home requirement was enforced because of the pandemic. These words become the chorus of the new song I wrote: Don't Be Afraid. You can find me singing this song with my guitar here at the end of this post and on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q58PyEkrzT4 Don’t be Afraid by Eric H. F. Law Hug,... Continue reading
Posted Apr 14, 2020 at The Sustainist
Last Friday, I offered a webinar called GracEconomic Stewardship in Time of Crisis, part III of our “Gracious Community in a No-Touch World” webinar series. You can't view it here in this post, or you can go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W91UL0U77Zc&feature=youtu.be The goal of this webinar was to - Explore creative ways to share resources to meet each other’s physical and economic needs achieving community resilience. - Learn how to be good stewards of our currencies of relationship, truth, and gracious leadership in time of crisis to foster wellness within our church and in the neighborhood community. Here are some of the... Continue reading
Posted Apr 10, 2020 at The Sustainist
Many of you attended Part II of our “Gracious Community in a No-Touch World” webinar series on Relational Online Worship last Friday. The recording is available at the homepage of our KI website: www.kscopeinstitute.org It is also here: If you find this webinar helpful, please consider making a GracEconomic donation between $10 and $100 on the same website. We are offering a third webinar this Friday (April 3, 2020): GracEconomic Stewardship in Time of Crisis. See invitation below. The Zoom meeting number is the same as last Friday’s. Churches and communities are struggling since the flow of financial resources have... Continue reading
Posted Apr 2, 2020 at The Sustainist
Over 60 people attended last Friday's webinar (March 20) where we: Learn how to deal with our fear constructively Find ways to form small-group communities via zoom and other media to foster spiritual and social wellness. Explore creative ways to share resources to meet each other’s physical and economic needs achieving resiliency. Discuss how to create liturgies in this no-touch world. You can review the recording of the webinar at the homepage of www.kscopeinstitute.org. The video is also here; If you find this webinar helpful, please consider making a GracEconomic donation between $10 and $150 on the same KI website.... Continue reading
Posted Mar 25, 2020 at The Sustainist
The Kaleidoscope Institute invites you to join us in a live webinar On Friday, March 20 at 1PM Pacific Time/4PM Eastern Time to explore ways to form Gracious Community in a No-Touch World with the Rev. Dr. Eric H. F. Law At the webinar, we will: - Learn how to deal with our fear constructively - Find ways to form small-group communities via zoom and other media to foster spiritual and social wellness. - Explore creative ways to share resources to meet each other’s physical and economic needs achieving resiliency. - Discuss how to create liturgies in this no-touch world.... Continue reading
Posted Mar 17, 2020 at The Sustainist