“Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark!” Revelation 21:10-22:5 Sixth Sunday of Easter May 5, 2013 First Christian Church Minneapolis, MN Morning, guys. So, I wanted to ask you all: are you afraid of the dark? When I was your age, my Mom and Dad had a nighlight in my room, because I was scared of... Continue Reading →
Is There a Plan B for Plan B?
I don't have kids. But if I had a daughter and she was say around 12, would I want her to be able buy Plan B without my say-so or even knowledge? The Obama Administration has decided to offer Plan B, the emergency contraceptive, to women over the age of 15 without a perscription. All... Continue Reading →
Abortion and the Balance
Rachel Held Evans asks her fellow progressive Christians to start caring about abortion in light of the Kermit Gosnell case: It seems to me that Christians who are more conservative and Christians who are more liberal, Christians who are politically pro-life and Christians who are politically pro-choice, should be able to come together on this... Continue Reading →
Discipleship or Consumerism?
A few days ago, I was at a church retreat. In response to a question on what challenges the church is facing, a woman remarked that one challenge is how people don't really want to get involved in church. They don't see it as a life, as much as a place where they can get... Continue Reading →
Why Am I So Annoyed By Progressive Christianity?
Anyone who has read this blog of the years, know that I have a bit of a beef with Progressive Christianity. While it might sound like I don't like Progressive Christianity, or that I want to move to a more conservative denomination, let me reassure you, I'm not going anywhere. The fact is there are... Continue Reading →
What Joe Paterno and Kermit Gosnell Have In Common
Like a lot of folks, I've been following the whole story on the role of the media concerning abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell. There's a lot to said about media ethics and double standards. Last night, I watched a Huff Post Live segment on the case, which I consider some of the best coverage I've seen... Continue Reading →
On Monsters, Boston…and Daleks
A Presbyterian Pastor reflects on the British Science fiction series Dr. Who as a modern fairy tale about fighting monsters and then relates that to Jesus: I remember after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 how much I wanted to just march into Afghanistan or Iraq or anywhere really, and just blow things up. I wanted... Continue Reading →
On Holy Friendships
My thoughts these days are drifting towards relationships, or the lack thereof in churches. I've been thinking about this in light of a recent blog post on CivilPolitics.org on the dearth of cross-party friendships. The post linked to a longer article in the Chronicle of Higher Education on the issue. The author, Neil Gross notes... Continue Reading →
Sermon: “On Pastors and Pastures”
A sermon from Good Shepherd Sunday 2006. “On Pastors and Pastures” John 10:11-18, Psalm 23 May 7, 2006 Lake Harriet Christian Church Minneapolis, MN I have to “blame” our Associate Minister, Tammy Rottschaefer for this sermon. For a while she has commented on the problem with parts of the church today in that we don't... Continue Reading →
Sermon: “Seeking God in a Shattered World”
In light of what's going on in Boston, I thought I'd share this sermon I preached two years ago. Vandalism is hardly in the same category as the horrors that took place today, but the message of the Sermon on the Mount ring true. “Seeking God in a Shattered World” Matthew 6:24-34; Isaiah 49:8-16 February... Continue Reading →
The Clockwork Pastor 