In the fictional universe of "Star Trek," there is a policy that all members of Starfleet must follow: the Prime Directive. The policy basically states that Starfleet can't intervene in the internal affairs of alien civilizations. Not surprisingly, when the policy faces real life situations, there are arguments for and against following the Prime Directive. ... Continue Reading →
I Don’t Get White Privilege
I really don't get White Privilege. Let me backup. I do get how black people, are treated differently than whites. I do get that after centuries of legal racism that it will take a while for those preferences to go away. But what I don't get is how this all matters and how it will... Continue Reading →
Jesus Is Not a Fashion Accessory
There are folks who tend to focus on the "numbers" taking place in Mainline Protestantism with concern. One example is an article written in 1987 by William Willomon and Robert Wilson. They looked at the numbers and didn't like what they see: The Methodist and the Evangelical United Brethren Churches each began to experience a... Continue Reading →
QOTD: On Mainline Leadership
From Homebrewed Christianity: We have a problem: On the one hand, the union-like conditions for leading in Mainline churches, i.e. “having to put in one’s dues,” seems to stifle any creative means of formulating new ways to interact with one’s culture. You might even say that processes such as ordination are less about learning to... Continue Reading →
QOTD: August 16, 2013
If Jesus was not who he said he was, friends, then you and I should get down to the registrar’s office and get our money back. I can teach you all how to tell fairy tales for a lot less than $11,000 a semester. I can sit down with a sick woman and listen to... Continue Reading →
This Is the Perfect Time to Panic!
Things are not going well in American Mainline Protestantism. Despite all the talk about how religious progressives are winning the day over the Religious Right, I tend to see a tradition that is in decline. I see churches closing- the remaining members too tired to continue. I see churches that are still going on, uncertain... Continue Reading →
Sermon: “Faith. Fellowship. Future.”
“Faith. Fellowship. Future.” Hebrews 11:29- 12:2 August 15, 2010 First Christian Church Minneapolis, MN I think it’s safe to say that I have been to almost every Home Depot, Lowes and Menards in the metro area this summer. The reason being is that my partner Daniel came up with the idea of adding... Continue Reading →
Repost: Church Planting and Mainline Church
I wrote this post back in 2006. A lot has changed since this post was written. Sadly, how Progressive Christians view church planting isn't one of them. I sometimes wonder if mainline Protestant churches really have a passion for new churches. I won't go into the nitty gritty of the situation with Community of... Continue Reading →
Sunday Sermon: “Big Time”
Today's sermon is based off a song from recording artist Peter Gabriel from 1987. You can watch the video below. “Big Time” Luke 12:13-21 Eleventh Sunday of Pentecost August 4, 2013 First Christian Church Minneapolis, MN People in my generation are familiar with the artist Peter Gabriel. He was the lead singer for the British... Continue Reading →
What’s So Wrong About Being A Bivocational Pastor?
The longer I walk in church circles, the more I find pastors who are allergic to a certain turn of phrase: Bivocational clergy. The mere mention of this option curdles the face of most pastors I've known and read. It's certainly viewed in a less favorable light than full-time ministry. People look at you funny... Continue Reading →
The Clockwork Pastor 