The world has been upended by the emergence of COVID-19 in late 2019. The changes it has wrought in our world are unprecedented in my lifetime. The loss of life has been staggering and personal. The loss of security is also profound. Furthermore, people’s faith in institutions and trust in each other has cratered! What is your go-to metaphor for this season we’ve endured? Is … Continue reading Church Lessons from the COVID Era
Prolific 1980s pop philosopher William R Joel once said “Life is a series of Hellos and Good-byes. I’m afraid it’s time for Good-bye again.” Itinerant ministers become accustomed to saying Good-bye, it’s my turn again. I know these things stretch out and get annoying before they’re done. There is often a little bit of relief when the day to leave finally arrives: at least you … Continue reading Garage Church
As I try to become more anti-racist, I’ve been listening to Nina Simone a lot. She’s hard to listen to. But I’ve found it necessary for deeper living to listen to her. She has a clarity of language that makes her message accessible. And she tells her truth. I’ve noticed lately that when white people talk about racism, we talk in abstractions. It seems that … Continue reading The Heartache of Racism
When compiling the list of Top Presidential Moments of the 21st Century, one could easily argue that President George W Bush climbing the mountain of rubble at Ground Zero belongs in the top spot. I remember watching it on TV. But I actually have MORE chills thinking about it almost 20 years later. Here was a man getting within inches of the people he serves … Continue reading Radicalized Christianity?
Dear Mr. President, I am writing to ask you to prioritize the vaccination of teachers. I suspect that many are vying for your attention on this matter. Please hear out my case for vaccinating teachers sooner rather than later. My wife Meredith and I have two kids, a fifth-grader named Anna and a second-grader named Ollie. They have both been in remote learning since March … Continue reading Mr. President, Vaccinate the Teachers
This year togetherYou’ve maneuvered wiselyYou’ve used your words, screaming at times, breathless at timesYou’ve said what you wantedYou wanted timeMy time, with you, your termsYou spoke your needYou worked the family and the calendar and the traditionsScaled the barrier and brought a dream into fruition. You also shared a joy, created an opportunity and dreamt big. I’m so proud of you. Not only proud: humbledNot only humbled: moved, … Continue reading This Year Together
If you’re looking for a Biblical parallel to Trump’s photo stunt in front of St. James Church, look no further than the “desolating sacrilege” of Daniel chapter 9. Jesus had his own warning about the desolating sacrilege in his day (Matthew 24). What’s the Desolating Sacrilege? Daniel petitions the Lord for mercy for Jerusalem, who has been overrun with corruption and injustice. Daniel confesses his … Continue reading Trump goes Biblical at St. James Church
You can find notes on this session HERE. Continue reading Facebook Live Bible Study Video…Luke Intro & Chapters 1-4
Perhaps I’ll die in the fog of dementia.Perhaps I’ll forget what buttons do and I’ll get mad because I am cold and madder because someone I don’t know is putting a jacket on me.Perhaps I’ll look into those eyes and not recall our decades of moving and being as one. Will I know you still love me?Even then, maybe I’ll forget the world is full … Continue reading Perhaps I’ll Die in the Fog of Dementia
There are times in life when certain events reoccur and a pattern is discovered. This past week, I received a text from a former parishioner that another former parishioner had died the day after Christmas. I get these from time to time, especially as my pastoral career continues and I have 6 congregations in 4 different communities in my past. But Gio was young, 26 … Continue reading Crossroads in Pastoral Ministry
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