Is First Christian a progressive congregation? The answer is complex.
Are We A Progressive Church?
Podcast Clip: The Church as Truth Teller
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.
Episode 50: The Problem of Inclusion in Mainline Protestantism
One of the biggest gifts Mainline Protestantism has given to many people is the work of inclusion. But are there limits to inclusion?
Geoff Mitchell on the Future of Mainline Protestantism
Is Mainline Protestantism a tradition worth saving? What caused the decline and what could bring about a renaissance?
Worship From Home: February 7, 2021
Here is the video and the sermon podcast for the February 7 worship service from First Christian St. Paul.
Worship From Home: January 31, 2021
Here is the video and the sermon podcast for the January 31 worship service from First Christian St. Paul.
Sermon: That’s Me In the Corner
Galatians 1:13-17; 2:15-21 and Luke 18:9-14 Sixth Sunday of Easter Losing My Religion Sermon Series May 21, 2016 First Christian Church Mahtomedi, MN Click here to listen to the audio. It’s been about two years since our congregation voted to become an Open and Affirming congregation, meaning that we openly welcome Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and... Continue Reading →
The Church for Today (and not 1955)
This morning at church, things are what they are on most Sundays. We had about 15 people who sang, prayed and listened to the sermon. We talked about making sandwiches for the homeless in a few weeks time. But something unusual did happen today. For whatever reason, an elderly woman was dropped off at 9AM... Continue Reading →
The Invisibility of Progressive Christianity
Every so often, I've heard an argument that goes like this: "the press only talks about the Christians vs. the gays as if all Christians are against being gay. Don't they know that there are Christians who support gays?" The frustration comes from being ignored by the wider culture, especially the media. When we think... Continue Reading →
The New Orthodoxy and Me
For the last few years, I've been impressed with a growing number of writers and bloggers, mostly from Methodist circles, but from some other traditions as well who seem to be carrying the Neo-Orthodox/Post-Liberal banner that had seem somewhat dormant for a while. I've been attracted to this stream of Protestantism after finding both evangelicalism... Continue Reading →
The Clockwork Pastor 