a·bom·i·na·tion [uh-bom-uh-ney-shuhn] Show IPA noun 1.anything abominable; anything greatly disliked or abhorred. 2.intense aversion or loathing; detestation: He regarded lying with abomination. 3.a vile, shameful, or detestable action, condition, habit, etc.: Spitting in public is an abomination. -Dictionary.com Anyone who knows me, knows that I tend to be open to other views even when they... Continue Reading →
Learning to Live in the Tension
I haven't really blogged about what's happening in the Presbyterian Church (USA) when it comes to changes in its ordination standards for a simple reason: I get paid by them. I know people who are more conservative and opposed the change and liberals who supported it and I haven't really wanted to offend folks or... Continue Reading →
Are Republicans Real Christians?
I saw this article on Facebook. The long and the short of it is that the author believes Republicans aren't Christians: I always encourage people to stop saying Republicans represent Christianity, and call them out on what they really worship. I call it “Republicanity” and I consider it a cult. It’s a perversion of Christianity mixed... Continue Reading →
Umbrage, Gay Rights and Grace
I'm an odd duck. I feel like I'm on of the few gay men that isn't angry. I'm not angry that same-sex marriage isn't moving faster. I'm not mad at the evangelical upbringing I had. Heck, I'm not mad that it will be very hard to find another call because I'm gay and many churches... Continue Reading →
Repost: I Miss the Old Mel White
The positive Mel White of old the "SpongeBob Squarepants of the gay community" is long gone. What's left is a man that's pretty pissed off at the church and when I say church, I mean the whole church.
Repost: We Can’t Be Friends
First off, welcome to all the new visitors who saw my post on Freshly Pressed. Below is a post from last year. It was about 20 years ago, that I attended a large Baptist church in Washington, DC. The church was an odd mix, or at least it would be odd today. Evangelicals and liberals... 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 →
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 →
Stop Making Sense (Again)
I wrote this after the shootings in Arizona in 2011. Somehow it still makes sense after the events of today. Please continue to pray for the family and friends of the victims of the shootings in Connecticut. Lord, have mercy. The fallout from the shooting of US Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and 12 others on Saturday... Continue Reading →
A Pastoral Letter on the Marriage Amendment
I wrote the following for the church newsletter regarding the proposed Minnesota Marriage Amendment which would limit marriage to one man and one woman. The thrust of this letter was to share why I stood where I stood, but do it (hopefully) in a spirit of respect towards those I disagree with. I love chatting... Continue Reading →
The Clockwork Pastor 