My wife Jan and I have been members of First Christian Church of St. Paul for nearly 20 years. We love the congregational focus. We particularly embrace the dedication to the principles of wholeness and inclusiveness of the Disciples of Christ, that welcome everyone to the Communion Table with no exceptions. We have recently rededicated... Continue Reading →
Let Africa Be Africa
Recently, there was a report on National Public Radio about how China is coming into Africa and making deals in various nations. The story focused on Chinese business ventures in Zambia and Tanzania, but widens it's scope to the entire continent which will be come a market of 3 billion by the end of the... Continue Reading →
Why Being Nice to The Gays Won’t Save Your Church*
This past week, the Presbyterian Church (USA) meeting in Detroit, approved pastors being able to marry same sex partners in states where same sex marriage is legal. According to Presbyterian polity, it still has to get the approval of the majority of presbyteries (there are 172) before it becomes the law. Judging Facebook and Twitter... Continue Reading →
On the WorldVision Retraction
Most of the people who read this blog know that I try to understand and respect the views of evangelicals and conservative Christians. I came from that background and even though I'm a mainline Protestant, the theology that made me who I am is the evangelical faith of my youth. Because of that and because... Continue Reading →
The Anger You Don’t Understand
One of the bloggers that I love to read is Rod Dreher. While we share some similarities politically, we are on different sides of the same-sex marriage issue. Rod has written a number of posts on what he sees as the coming troubles facing social conservatives as the opinion on gay marriage changes. I decided... Continue Reading →
By the Time I Get to Arizona
About a week ago, I wrote a post on same-sex marriage and how those of us who support it should act towards those that oppose it. Can we be good winners to the losers? Some of the response to that post got me thinking (and agonizing) over this issue. In two states, Kansas and Arizona,... Continue Reading →
We Are the Champions
It's over. We won. I'm talking about same-sex marriage. In the months following last year's decision by the Supreme Court on marriage, state after state has had laws banning same-sex marriage ruled unconstitutional. This week alone, we've seen Virgina and Kentucky move forward in the march towards marriage equality. Different parts of the federal government... Continue Reading →
Rerun Sermon: “Three Beeps Means ‘I Love You'”
For those who look at my blog to get ideas for preaching (all two of you), I have a link to a sermon I preached for the Fourth Sunday of Epiphany in 2005. It even sounds timely because it focuses on same sex marriage. Click on the link below to learn more. Sermon: "Three Beeps... Continue Reading →
All Means Almost
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 →
A More Excellent Way
And I’m going to show you an even better way. -I Corinthians 12:31 I remember several years ago reading a newsstory about the same-sex marriage debate taking place in the Canadian province of Alberta. Two men who wanted to get married took the province to court and won. When asked about the verdict, one of... Continue Reading →