http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Z0FchdKfI One of the things that my denomination, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is trying to do better is helping people understand the context in which they are to be church. An initiative, the Landscape for Mission has come out that helps people explain the changing society that we find ourselves in and insight... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to Be Prophetic, Part Three
It was two years ago, that I wondered aloud what it meant to be prophetic. I've heard that phrase a lot in many of the progressive circles I've been in, but I've always wondered if what is called prophetic is nothing more than espousing your ideology and wrapping it up in God-language. What does it... Continue Reading →
Sermon: “E Pluribus Unum”
“E Pluribus Unum” Matthew 28:19-20, II Corinthians 13:11-13 May 18, 2008 (Trinity Sunday) Lake Harriet Christian Church Minneapolis, MN As some of you know and are probably well sick of me telling you, I love science-fiction. What I love about this genre is that it present modern problems in futuristic garb. And I know that... Continue Reading →
Tragic Church?
An interesting meditation on the role of the tragic in life of Christian worship and in modern culture: The problem with much Christian worship in the contemporary world, Catholic and Protestant alike, is not that it is too entertaining but that it is not entertaining enough. Worship characterized by upbeat rock music, stand-up comedy, beautiful... Continue Reading →
Sermon: “This I Believe”
“This I Believe” Isaiah 43:1-7 and Luke 3:15-22 Baptism of Jesus January 13, 2013 First Christian Church Minneapolis, MN I really had a temptation to call this Dennis’ Baptismal Follies, because me and baptism have had a troubled relationship. There was nothing wrong with baptism per se, but it was how I learned of baptism... Continue Reading →
Sunday Sermon: “In God We Trust”
“In God We Trust” Mark 10:17-31 Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost October 14, 2012 First Christian Church Minneapolis, MN I will admit it: I really don’t like this passage. Why don’t I like it? For a lot of reasons. I don’t like how people sometimes use this passage to lord over others. People who are full... Continue Reading →
The Intolerable Thing
It's quite common in Progressive Christian circles to talk about the importance of justice or doing things for others over belief. There is a reason for this; that being the sad history of people who had solid beliefs in Christianity and yet their lives did not reflect what they were saying. I am reminded of... Continue Reading →
Sermon: “This Woman’s Work”
“This Woman’s Work” Proverbs 31:10-31 September 23, 2012 First Christian Church Minneapolis, MN I’m taking a risk in preaching this text. The passage in Proverbs about a “capable” wife and as you can tell, I’m a man. Men tend to get into trouble talking about women, especially those of us in the pulpit and... Continue Reading →
The Clockwork Pastor 