On Saturday, Methodist pastor Alan Bevere wondered why mainline churches are losing their young adults. This was my response. This is probably going to be a future blog post, but I will offer a few observations. First, mainline churches have done a poor job when it comes to campus ministry with one exception: the Lutherans.... 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 →
Sermon: “To Be Continued…”
A Year A Palm Sunday sermon from 2011. “To Be Continued…” Philippians 2:5-11 and Matthew 27:11-54 April 17, 2011 (Palm Sunday) First Christian Church Minneapolis, MN About a 10 years ago, I was driving down I-35W from Edina to Minneapolis. All of the sudden, the traffic just stopped. Now usually if there is a traffic... Continue Reading →
Sermon: Dead Man’s Party
Ezekiel 37:1-14 Fifth Sunday of Lent April 6, 2013 First Christian Church Mahtomedi, MN It’s finally happened- I get to preach a sermon about zombies. Popular culture has had a fascination with the living dead. The television show, The Walking Dead, is a hit series. Zombies have made it to the big screen as well:... Continue Reading →
Sermon: “The Lord Is My Shepherd….at 35,000 Feet”
Psalm 23 Fourth Sunday in Lent March 30, 2014 First Christian Church Mahtomedi, MN I can be a nervous flier. My fear of flying hasn’t stopped me from getting on a plane on a regular basis. I’ve flown international flights to Europe, South America and Asia. You are really dealing with your fears when you... Continue Reading →
Sermon: “Eau? Oh!”
John 4:4-42 Third Sunday in Lent March 23, 2014 First Christian Church Mahtomedi, MN Life in a small town is interesting. I grew up in a city that had about 150,000 in my childhood and I was only a short distance from the Detroit Metro Area with a population of 4 million. So as a... Continue Reading →
On the WorldVision Retraction
Most of the people who read this blog know that I try to understand and respect the views of evangelicals and conservative Christians. I came from that background and even though I'm a mainline Protestant, the theology that made me who I am is the evangelical faith of my youth. Because of that and because... Continue Reading →
Like The Woman At The Well?
Like the woman at the well, I was seeking For things that could not satisfy. And then I heard my Savior speaking— “Draw from My well that never shall run dry.” Fill my cup, Lord; I lift it up Lord; Come and quench this thirsting of my soul. Bread of Heaven, feed me till I... Continue Reading →
Sermon: “A Woman and the Son of God Enter a Bar…”
This John passage is the lectionary gospel reading for this coming Sunday. Below is a sermon I preached in 2008. “A Woman and the Son of God Enter a Bar...” John 4:5-42 February 24, 2008 Lake Harriet Christian Church Minneapolis, MN I am a terrible joke teller. Believe me, I've tried. But ever since I... Continue Reading →
Sermon: “You Pay Your Money and You Take Your Chance”
Genesis 12:1-4 and John 3:1-17 Second Sunday in Lent March 16, 2014 First Christian Church Mahtomedi, MN As a kid, I loved looking at maps. I still do love pouring over a map, but when I was younger, I could spend hours looking at a map. The Rand McNally map of the Interstate Highway System... Continue Reading →
