For some reason, whenever I talk about the "spiritual but not religious" or Lillian Daniel, the site stats go way up. I don't know if that's a good thing or if there are a number of people plotting my demise. I gonna believe the former over the latter. In our continual chat about SBNRs and... Continue Reading →
Why I Like Lillian Daniel.
I really like Lillian Daniel. Really. Why, you ask? Because in 2011 she said something that many mainline Christians have been thinking, but were too afraid to say outloud. In 2011 Daniel wrote an article with the very provocative title: "Spiritual, But Not Religious? Please Stop Boring Me." If you think this was a rant,... Continue Reading →
Love In the Time of the Zombie Apocalypse
I just finished reading Warm Bodies, the zombie novel by Issac Marion. A movie based on the book will open in theatres on February 1. I have to say I enjoyed the novel, which is saying a lot because I don't usually like to read zombie novels or watch zombie movies or TV. I'm probably... Continue Reading →
The Civic Church
What is the role of the church in a society? That's the question that I've been trying to answer for a few years. I think blogger Michael Kruse came up with the best answer. Before I get to Michael's quote, let's look at opinion piece by David Brooks that Kruse comments on. Brooks offer his... Continue Reading →
“Thinking Christianly”
Doug Skinner: As I was getting ready to come to church early Sunday morning, the anchor of the news show that I had on as background noise announced that “Christians all over the country were going to be hearing sermons about gun violence in church today.” I didn’t get the memo. But even if I... Continue Reading →
Sunday Sermon: “Called. Gathered. Sent.”
From 2010. “Called. Gathered. Sent.” John 2:1-11, I Corinthians 12:1-11 January 17, 2010 First Christian Church Minneapolis, MN I’ve come to realize that as you reach a certain age, you start to look back at an earlier point in your life more and more. A friend of mine who turned 40 last year commented... Continue Reading →
Wait for the Healing
Back in May of 2012 , I shared a story of what happened at a Baptist church I attended in Washington, DC in the early 90s. It was a story of how people who disagreed with each other on the issue of homosexuality were able to still be friends and support each other. Around that... Continue Reading →
Sunday Sermon: “No Do Overs”
This is a sermon I preached in 2007 for the Baptism of Our Lord which is next Sunday. I happen to be preaching next Sunday. No, I won't be using this sermon. “No Do Overs” Isaiah 43:1-7, Luke 3:15-22 January 7, 2007 (Baptism of Our Lord) Community of Grace Christian Church* Minneapolis, MN Did you... Continue Reading →
A Grown-Up Conversation on Guns
In the weeks following the Newtown shootings, there were calls for a "conversation" about guns. I always find it funny when folks talk about having a conversation, because it never means what I think it should mean. I'm envisioning something like one of those old PBS shows from the 70s where men in serious suits... Continue Reading →
Sermon: “Wholly Family”
This is a sermon I preached at Edgcumbe Presbyterian Church in St. Paul, MN the First Sunday of Christmas in 2006. “Wholly Family” Luke 2:41-52; Colossians 3:12-17 December 31, 2006 Edgcumbe Presbyterian Church St. Paul, MN Mary's having a baby. No, I'm not talking about Mary, the mother of Jesus here, I'm talking about... Continue Reading →
The Clockwork Pastor 