“Create Joy” | Genesis 2:4b-7, 15-17; 3:1-8 | Mission First: Called Series |Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost | September 11, 2016 | First Christian Church of St. Paul | Dennis Sanders, preaching Listen to the sermon by using the player below. Before I get into today’s sermon, I wanted to share a little bit about what... Continue Reading →
Questions on the Disciples and the Local Church
Disclaimer: I have to start this blog post off by saying that the following criticism is not directed at any one person. It is NOT a personal attack on anybody. This is a critique of a larger system that people might be a part of, but again my beef is with the system and not... Continue Reading →
What Is Mission First All About?
At the 2015 General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Columbus, Ohio, those gathered heard about a new initiative being rolled out called Mission First. Mission First seems to be a way to retool the denomination for the 21st century. A central part of this initiative is to have Mission Gatherings... Continue Reading →
Sermon: “Fight the Power”
Ephesians 6:10-20 Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost August 7, 2016 First Christian Church Mahtomedi, MN Listen to the sermon podcast. One of the earliest hymns I remember singing was “Onward Christian Soldiers.” And I have to admit that I liked the song. There is something peppy with the music, and yes, it has almost a martial... Continue Reading →
Sermon: Trouble In Lake Wobegon
“Trouble in Lake Wobegone” Luke 10:25-37 and Romans 14:1-18 Seventh Sunday After Pentecost July 10, 2016 First Christian Church Mahtomedi, MN Listen to the Sermon. It could have been me. That is what I thought early Thursday morning, as I groggily woke and checked Facebook. There were some news reports of a police shooting... Continue Reading →
Life in Black and Blue
Crime is increasing Trigger happy policing Panic is spreading God know where we're heading Oh, make me wanna holler They don't understand -Inner City Blues, Marvin Gaye For the second time in two days we have heard of another police shooting of an African American. Tuesday saw the killing of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge,... Continue Reading →
An Anxious Time
I've been wanting to write something about some problems my own denomination is facing, but I've never been able to focus on that. I think the reason is that my brain is stuffed with anxiety about several issues. One thing you have to understand about me is that anxiety has long been a part of... Continue Reading →
Sermon: Sanctuary
Romans 11:1-2 and 13-24 Fifth Sunday After Pentecost June 19, 2016 First Christian Church Mahtomedi, MN Listen to the sermon. I was in track in high school. We would have practice after school and I remember going into the locker room to change. Everytime I would pass by a training room that was for people... Continue Reading →
When Does Grace End?
Social media is abuzz in the recent trial that convicted former Stanford student Brock Turner of the rape of a young woman. What has everyone talking is the fact that the judge gave Turner a six month sentence and he might get out sooner for good behavior. To pour more gasoline on the fire, Turner's... Continue Reading →
The Faith Experience
When Prince died on April 21, I wrote a post on another blog about how Prince made it easier for black kids like me to be gay. Growing up with the machismo that was such a part of the culture I grew up in during the 70s and 80s, Prince was a godsend. Speaking of... Continue Reading →
The Clockwork Pastor 