First Christian Church of St. Paul is looking for the curious, the energetic, the adventurous and others who are interested in relaunching this Mainline Protestant congregation as well as launching a preaching point somewhere in the St.Paul area. The Re-Launch/Launch Team is the group of people who are simply saying I want to be a... Continue Reading →
The Landscape for Mission (and Theology)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Z0FchdKfI One of the things that my denomination, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is trying to do better is helping people understand the context in which they are to be church. An initiative, the Landscape for Mission has come out that helps people explain the changing society that we find ourselves in and insight... Continue Reading →
What’s Missing?
For the last few months, I've been following a blog called Via Media Methodists. The purpose of VMM is: 1."To offer an alternative beyond the current polarization in The United Methodist Church; 2. To raise the level of discourse within The United Methodist Church; and 3. To practice what we preach." After a few bit... Continue Reading →
Jesus of Suburbia
It's coming up to a year since I've been at First Christian of St. Paul which is in Mahtomedi, MN. One of the things that was kind of hammered home to me in seminary is to learn to do ministry in a certain context. And with this call, context matters, at least to me. I've... Continue Reading →
Sermon: “All In Due Time”
God knows there are weeds in the world. Not only in the big actions taking place in our world, but the weeds that grow up around each and everyone of us. But we shouldn’t fear the weeds. We shouldn’t think it is up to us to get rid of the weeds. God has a plan.
Sermon: “Better Churches and Gardens”
This is the sermon I wrote for this Sunday back in 2008. “Better Churches and Gardens” Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 July 13, 2008 Lake Harriet Christian Church Minneapolis, MN Last Thursday night, I decided to do something that I haven’t done in a long, long time. Long before I could drive. Long before I graduated from... Continue Reading →
Work with a Church Rising from the Ashes in Minnesota
The following is something I wrote on the First Christian website. As some of you know, First-St. Paul is down to a few faithful members. We are starting to venture forth into the community, but it would by helpful if we had a few more people. Share this with your friends. To contact me, go... Continue Reading →
Yet Another Post on Church Planting
It's been a bittersweet time for me. On the one hand, I am excited of being pastor at First Christian. There are a lot of challenges; the church is down a faithful few and we are starting to find ways to grow numerically and spiritually as well. Most churches that are down to a handful... Continue Reading →
Sermon: “The Tale of the Lady and the Prayer Shawl”
John 10:1-10 and Acts 2:42-47 Fourth Sunday of Easter May 11, 2014 First Christian Church Mahtomedi, MN It’s Springtime and that means that it’s time for the spring pledge drive on public radio. Now, I love listening to Minnesota Public Radio and I’ve been a supporter for about a decade. I get that public... Continue Reading →
On the Babylonian Captivity of the Mainline Protestant Church
"Be in the world, but not of the world." That was a phrase I heard a lot when I was growing up. In my evangelical upbringing, there was a stress about living where we are, but not follow the ways of the world. According to the phrase, we are to follow Jesus and not gods... Continue Reading →
The Clockwork Pastor 