church, church life, church renewal, gay, gay rights, LGBT, LGBTQ, mainline church, mainline churches, Midweek Vespers, small church, small churches, summer, vespers, videosLeave a comment

Vespers: Happy Pride

June 25, 2022 Dennis

What do LGBTQ people mean when they talk about pride? Continue reading Vespers: Happy Pride

church, church life, liberal christianity, liberal protestantism, mainline church, mainline churches, progressive christianity, progressivismLeave a comment

Podcast Clip: The Church as Truth Teller

June 18, 2022June 18, 2022 Dennis

The church needs to be a truthteller, which means the church is willing to speak the truth even if it means attacking sacred cows that people like. Continue reading Podcast Clip: The Church as Truth Teller

church, church life, church renewal, mainline church, mainline churches, Midweek Vespers, small church, small churches, summer, vespers, videosLeave a comment

Vespers: Every New Beginning Comes From Some Other’s Beginning’s End

June 17, 2022June 17, 2022 Dennis

The new beginning is coming and we give thanks. The old beginning is ending and we give thanks. Continue reading Vespers: Every New Beginning Comes From Some Other’s Beginning’s End

church, church life, church renewal, Disciples, disciples of christ, mainline church, mainline churches, Pentecost, sermons, small church, small churches2 Comments

Sermon: Carried by the Wind

June 17, 2022 Dennis

Why does Pentecost matter to us? Why do we celebrate it every year? Why does the Spirit coming like a wind matter? Continue reading Sermon: Carried by the Wind

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Visit a Ragamuffin Church

February 8, 2022 Dennis

We “church shop” just like we are buying cars. As I said, this doesn’t work well when it comes to finding a faith community, but this is how most people determine which church they are going to join. Continue reading Visit a Ragamuffin Church

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Table Talk: It’s Enough

February 7, 2022February 7, 2022 Dennis

At the end of the day, we are enough. Gideon teaches us that we are enough because God is enough. Continue reading Table Talk: It’s Enough

church, church life, church renewal, congregations, Disciples, disciples of christ, liberal christianity, liberal protestantism, mainline church, mainline churchesLeave a comment

Geoff Mitchell on the Future of Mainline Protestantism

August 11, 2021June 17, 2022 Dennis

Is Mainline Protestantism a tradition worth saving? What caused the decline and what could bring about a renaissance? Continue reading Geoff Mitchell on the Future of Mainline Protestantism

church, church life, Dennis Sanders, disciples of christ, epiphany, First Christian, First Christian St. Paul, liberal christianity, liberal protestantism, mainline church, mainline churches, Minnesota, music, podcasts, post-liberal, videos, worshipLeave a comment

Worship From Home: February 7, 2021

February 9, 2021February 9, 2021 Dennis

Here is the video and the sermon podcast for the February 7 worship service from First Christian St. Paul. Continue reading Worship From Home: February 7, 2021

Worship From Home: January 31, 2021

January 31, 2021February 1, 2021 Dennis

Here is the video and the sermon podcast for the January 31 worship service from First Christian St. Paul. Continue reading Worship From Home: January 31, 2021

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Why Our Church Isn’t Progressive

January 24, 2020March 9, 2020 Dennis

As I was scanning Facebook the other day, I noticed a church Facebook page that claimed they are a progressive church. More mainline Protestant congregations are declaring themselves as a progressive congregation, meaning a congregation that focuses on LGBTQ rights, the environment, race, abortion and other issue that would be issues from the political left. Branding yourself as a progressive church can make the church attract more people. People want more and more to be with people they agree with on various issues. But is First Christian progressive? I would say no. Now, before you start thinking that I am … Continue reading Why Our Church Isn’t Progressive

The Clockwork Pastor

Musings on Faith, Culture and ADHD

Category: church