Musings on Faith, Culture and ADHD
I haven't followed the news about Methodist minister Frank Schaefer as closely as I should have. For those who know even less, Frank Schaefer faced a church trail for going against the Book of Discipline by marrying two men (one of who happened to be his son). What I do know about the affair has... Continue Reading →
A sermon for the First Sunday of Advent from 2010. “Unsafe at Any Speed” Matthew 24:36-44; Isaiah 2:1-5 November 28, 2010 Advent 1 First Christian Church Minneapolis, MN In the Spring of 1990, I was a junior at Michigan State University. For Spring Break that year, I went on a trip to retreat center... Continue Reading →
It had to happen sometime: I used a Sesame Street reference as a sermon title. “One of These Things Is Not Like the Other” Jeremiah 23:1-6 and Luke 23:33-43 Christ the King Sunday November 24, 2013 First Christian Church Mahtomedi, MN If you are interested in politics, this was a week to remember. On Wednesday,... Continue Reading →
There are people in your life who've come and gone They let you down and hurt your pride Better put it all behind you; life goes on You keep carrin' that anger, it'll eat you inside -Don Henley, The Heart of the Matter I've come to the conclusion that I have to be the oddest... Continue Reading →
The following is a sermon I preached on Christ the King Sunday in 2004. The gospel text for that Sunday is the one that will be used this coming Sunday. “Fit for a King” Luke 23:33-43 November 21, 2004 (Christ the King Sunday) Community of Grace Christian Church St. Paul, MN Today is... Continue Reading →
Aspergers is an interesting thing. Having an autism spectrum disorder means that you have communication issues. Because it can be hard to communicate with others and because you kind of live in your own little world, it's hard to know when you might be acting out. In my time as a pastor, I've sometimes acted... Continue Reading →
I've been noticing something. A mainline church either moves out of its current location or closes. Soon there after, an evangelical church or an immigrant church buys up the property. Here's the interesting thing: the mainline churches moves out because the community is no longer sustainable or the building is too much for a shrinking... Continue Reading →
I stumbled on this blog post about the renewal of United Theological Seminary in Ohio. The school now has 600 students but only a few years ago it had only 130. Some think their addition of distance learning has made the difference, but Jason Vickers, a professor at the Methodist seminary says the real difference... Continue Reading →
“Same As It Ever Was” I Kings 19:1-15 All Saints Sunday November 3, 2013 First Christian Church Mahtomedi, MN You may ask yourself, where is that large automobile? You may tell yourself, this is not my beautiful house You may tell yourself, this is not my beautiful wife Letting the days go by, let the... Continue Reading →
After 44 years on this planet, I've come to a startling conclusion: I really suck at making friends. It's not that I don't have friends. It's just that I haven't been good at making close friendships. You have to understand something when it comes to people with Aspergers- since we miss social cues we basically... Continue Reading →
The Clockwork Pastor 