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 Monsters, Boston…and Daleks
A Presbyterian Pastor reflects on the British Science fiction series Dr. Who as a modern fairy tale about fighting monsters and then relates that to Jesus: I remember after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 how much I wanted to just march into Afghanistan or Iraq or anywhere really, and just blow things up. I wanted... Continue Reading →
What J.C. Penney, Sears and Montgomery Ward Taught Me About the Mainline Church
Ever since it appeared a few weeks ago, I've been thinking about John Vest's blog post called "The Vine is Dying." The Presbyterian pastor from Chicago has been involved in finding ways to help the Presbyterian Church (USA) rebound after decades of decline and his February 27 post was one borne of frustration with the... Continue Reading →
There’s Still Hope for the Mainline
Anyone who's read this blog knows I tend to be critical of mainline Christianity. It's not that I want to leave what has been my theological home for two decades; it's that I get frustrated at some of it's shortcomings. Despite all of that, mainline/progressive/liberal Christianity is my home. As much as I respect my... Continue Reading →
Sermon: “Wholly Family”
This is a sermon I preached at Edgcumbe Presbyterian Church in St. Paul, MN the First Sunday of Christmas in 2006. “Wholly Family” Luke 2:41-52; Colossians 3:12-17 December 31, 2006 Edgcumbe Presbyterian Church St. Paul, MN Mary's having a baby. No, I'm not talking about Mary, the mother of Jesus here, I'm talking about... Continue Reading →
On Getting With the Program
Since I work for the Presbyterians, I spent some time this summer watching the live feed from the 220th General Assembly in Pittsburgh. On the penultimate day of the Assembly there was discussion on allowing ministers to be able to marry same-sex couples. It was not a surprise to see conservatives quoting scripture. In fact,... Continue Reading →
Repost: In the Middle
The following post is from April of 2008. In light of the recent goings on at the United Methodist General Conference, I thought this might be a good post to share again. I've been a mainline Protestant for about 16 years. I grew up in the evangelical and black churches and found the mainline churches... Continue Reading →
Repost: In the Middle
The following post is from April of 2008. In light of the recent goings on at the United Methodist General Conference, I thought this might be a good post to share again.I've been a mainline Protestant for about 16 years. I grew up in the evangelical and black churches and found the mainline churches a... Continue Reading →
Repost: Why Church Planting Matters
Jim, left and my partner, Daniel, right. From August 2010. As First Christian plans its future, a constant among the plans is to leave some money aside for to plant new churches. Both the Senior Pastor and I have made this a priority in what ever decisions are made. That has been met with some... Continue Reading →
Repost: Why Church Planting Matters
Jim, left and my partner, Daniel, right.From August 2010.As First Christian plans its future, a constant among the plans is to leave some money aside for to plant new churches. Both the Senior Pastor and I have made this a priority in what ever decisions are made.That has been met with some resistance. One person... Continue Reading →