I wrote this post in the summer of 2011. The trend has continued in the succeeding years. I will write something more current on the issue, but this old posts still stands. I've been noticing lately within Mainline Protestant circles, the rising use of the word "progressive" as a way to describe Christians who might... Continue Reading →
Never You Mind the Exit Signs
Start Play Psalm 1 | The Music of My Mind Sermon Series | Trinity Sunday |May 31, 2015----more----Read the sermon text.
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 →
Why I Need Church
Of course I could be a smartass and say "because I'm the pastor," but I want to give a real answer. Why do I go to church? Why do I need church?
Sermon: Resumes and Eulogies
Start Play Romans 6:1–14 | Seventh Sunday of Easter/Ascension Sunday | May 17, 2014"If we are called to live as if sin is dead in us, then we are going to need help- we can’t do this on our own. This is what church is all about; it’s a place where we learn from each... Continue Reading →
Sermon: Kick At the Darkness
Start Play Romans 5:1-11 | Sixth Sunday of Easter | May 10, 2015 | First Christian Church|Mahtomedi, MN | Dennis Sanders, preaching"Paul wanted to remind people that they are not alone. Suffering can be just as isolating as having a serious illness like cancer. The hope isn’t that everything will be wonderful, but that we... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean To Be Prophetic, Part Four
About a week ago, the church I am pastor at voted to become an Open and Affirming congregation, meaning it openly welcomes LGBT persons into the life of the church. I think it was a big step for the church. It might help people who were thinking of visiting the church to take a second... Continue Reading →
Tiny Violins
Some of the responses to to a recent post as well as some extra reading has me back at the keyboard again to share something thoughts about this rapidly changing situation in Indiana. I want to focus on one issue in particular: the demand by social conservatives to push for tolerance . So here goes.... Continue Reading →
Making the Sale?
Start Play Romans 1:1–17 | Fifth Sunday of Easter | May 3, 2015 | First Christian Church | Mahtomedi, MN | Dennis Sanders, preaching"The two women had a conversation where life was shared. That’s what it means to be sent out, to be called by God to share the good news. It is when we... Continue Reading →
Sermon: All Is Level At the Cross
Start Play Matthew 10:40–42 and Acts 13:1–3; 14:8–18 | Fourth Sunday of Easter |April 26, 2015 | First Christian Church | Mahtomedi, MN | Dennis Sanders, preaching"God is calling the church to be a place that is a colony of heaven, an example of what God’s kingdom is like. It is a place where people... Continue Reading →