Musings on Faith, Culture and ADHD
It's been a bittersweet time for me. On the one hand, I am excited of being pastor at First Christian. There are a lot of challenges; the church is down a faithful few and we are starting to find ways to grow numerically and spiritually as well. Most churches that are down to a handful... Continue Reading →
John 10:1-10 and Acts 2:42-47 Fourth Sunday of Easter May 11, 2014 First Christian Church Mahtomedi, MN It’s Springtime and that means that it’s time for the spring pledge drive on public radio. Now, I love listening to Minnesota Public Radio and I’ve been a supporter for about a decade. I get that public... Continue Reading →
I was at an ecumenical LGBT meeting several years back. What we were talking about, I can't remember, but I remember saying something about the Great Commission found in Matthew 28. Accross the room from me was a middle aged man from Canada. I could see him mouth the words "Great Commission" and he had... Continue Reading →
Luke 24:13-35 Third Sunday of Easter May 4, 2014 First Christian Church Mahtomedi, MN In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther's preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while the leader was describing the change which God works... Continue Reading →
I've noticed a blog called Via Media Methodists which is trying to get out of the left-right box the American church finds itself in. That leaves me wondering: are there a group of Disciples who want to elevate the discourse in our tradition? This is how Via Media Methodists describe themselves: Via media, Latin for... Continue Reading →
Last week, I had a conversation over the phone with a fellow pastor who is interested in planting a church. He share some of his plans and ideas. It seemed solid, so I asked him to share an outline of his idea that I could pass on to some other folks in the area. While... Continue Reading →
I've never watched Duck Dynasty. I didn't really know about Phil Robertson until he uttered his beliefs on homosexuality and race. It's no surprise that I don't agree with either of those views. But there is a question that keeps rumbling in my mind. It's not directed at Robertson, it's directed to my fellow Christians... Continue Reading →
I've been doing some thinking about the whole Dave Ramsey drama from earlier in the month. Actually, I thinking more about the fact that some of his critics have accused him peddling a version of the Prosperity Gospel. The Prosperity Gospel tends to have critics all along the theological spectrum. There is a good reason... Continue Reading →
From 2012. I have a mixed relationship with Mary's Magnificat found in Luke 1. On the one hand it is a wonderful message of justice; that the lowly in life will be vindicated and remembered by God. I love singing the song A Canticle of the Turning by Rory Cooney. But the text also is... Continue Reading →
A few things on my mind: I'm about to declare a war on the war on the war on Christmas. Progressive and Evangelical Christians lob attacks at each other. Ummm...guys, remember we're supposed to be focusing on that Jesus guy? David Brooks, who is back to his writing gig at the New York Times after... Continue Reading →
The Clockwork Pastor 