Musings on Faith, Culture and ADHD
Wither the Mainline church? It's a question those of us who are part of a mainline/progressive denomination have been wondering for years. Or, it is a question we continually hear about. Our numbers continue to shrink, as does our monetary reserves. Everyone has their reasons as to why mainline churches seem to be in sort... Continue Reading →
Start Play Psalm 113 | The Music of My Mind Sermon Series | Third Sunday After Pentecost | June 7, 2015 | Dennis Sanders, preaching----more----Praise is not simply flattery. It is an acknowledgement that God is with us. We are thankful for what God has done, and that can give us the hope to carry... Continue Reading →
I wrote this post in the summer of 2011. The trend has continued in the succeeding years. I will write something more current on the issue, but this old posts still stands. I've been noticing lately within Mainline Protestant circles, the rising use of the word "progressive" as a way to describe Christians who might... Continue Reading →
Start Play Psalm 1 | The Music of My Mind Sermon Series | Trinity Sunday |May 31, 2015----more----Read the sermon text.
For the last few years, I've been impressed with a growing number of writers and bloggers, mostly from Methodist circles, but from some other traditions as well who seem to be carrying the Neo-Orthodox/Post-Liberal banner that had seem somewhat dormant for a while. I've been attracted to this stream of Protestantism after finding both evangelicalism... Continue Reading →
Of course I could be a smartass and say "because I'm the pastor," but I want to give a real answer. Why do I go to church? Why do I need church?
Start Play Romans 6:1–14 | Seventh Sunday of Easter/Ascension Sunday | May 17, 2014"If we are called to live as if sin is dead in us, then we are going to need help- we can’t do this on our own. This is what church is all about; it’s a place where we learn from each... Continue Reading →
Start Play Romans 5:1-11 | Sixth Sunday of Easter | May 10, 2015 | First Christian Church|Mahtomedi, MN | Dennis Sanders, preaching"Paul wanted to remind people that they are not alone. Suffering can be just as isolating as having a serious illness like cancer. The hope isn’t that everything will be wonderful, but that we... Continue Reading →
About a week ago, the church I am pastor at voted to become an Open and Affirming congregation, meaning it openly welcomes LGBT persons into the life of the church. I think it was a big step for the church. It might help people who were thinking of visiting the church to take a second... Continue Reading →
Some of the responses to to a recent post as well as some extra reading has me back at the keyboard again to share something thoughts about this rapidly changing situation in Indiana. I want to focus on one issue in particular: the demand by social conservatives to push for tolerance . So here goes.... Continue Reading →
The Clockwork Pastor 