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: 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 →

Being Gay at Liberty University

Last fall, I wrote a blog post about how I've come to respect social conservatives.  What I've learned over time is that the view of social conservatives is not so black and white.  Here's a little of what I wrote: I’ve met good Christians who are some of the nicest and honorable people and have... Continue Reading →

Now That We’ve Won (Maybe)…

This week's drama over the issue of same-sex marriage at the Supreme Court has been nothing short of historic.  American society is at a point that I thought wouldn't come for several years, if not decades.  Same sex marriage might be legal in most of the nation in a few short years. Here in Minnesota,... Continue Reading →

Sermon: “Three Beeps Means ‘I Love You'”

This is a sermon from my Community of Grace days.  I think my sermon writing is a lot better than it was back then, but the essence of the sermon is still prescient.  “Three Beeps Means ‘I Love You’” Micah 6:1-8 January 23, 2005 Community of Grace Christian Church St. Paul, MN   I’m going... Continue Reading →

How Do You Solve a Problem Like A Bigot?

It was about 15 years ago that I saw firsthand how love of enemy and justice for the oppressed clashed with each other.  I was in seminary at the time and one Sunday afternoon, I went to a discussion held at a local Lutheran church.  The then-Bishop of the St. Paul Area Synod of the... Continue Reading →

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