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
This Week in Ministry was very incarnational. Sunday (12/15) Baptized a 6-week old. Children’s Pageant #1 was classic, funny and delightful. O was excellent as Joseph. Children’s Pageant #2 was more contemporary and equally delightful. O was excellent as a shepherd. A was excellent as one of the narrating actresses. Also observed a town-acquaintance gracefully help is father enjoy the pageant. Monday Last real office … Continue reading This Week in Ministry
A good pastor or public theologian must be ‘anthropologically curious’. Being curious about people ought to be a natural gift of any minister. And there are two main skills that go with being ‘anthropologically curious’: 1) Being able to ask good questions and 2) listening without prejudice. Unless danger is sensed, people will most often tell you the truth: either The Truth (which is rare), … Continue reading The “I” Has It
Borders are real. They make tremendous impact on our lives. Juarez, Mexico is only 2 miles farther away from me than El Paso, Texas, USA. And yet El Paso calls my concern and responsibility. I feel real powerlessness toward the crippling violence of Juarez. Note: As I was editing this post, the news poured in of the mass shooting at a Wal-Mart in El Paso. … Continue reading The Paradox of the Border
Remember the internet sensation of the 1990’s Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon? This was a silly game connecting Kevin Bacon to any other actor. It’s based on the notion that all of us are connected to each other by no more than six degrees of separation. Creation is a whole and we are merely parts of it. So I started playing the game as I … Continue reading Six Degrees at the Border
I packed my clergy shirt. I did NOT pack my clergy collar. If anything, I’m good at bringing the human to the divine. So I stuck a folded-up piece of paper in the place where the collar goes. It was great watching people react to that. One dude gloriously joked me straight to my face. I wish I had gotten his name. (He also fanboyed … Continue reading One Dumb Thing at the Border
I was happy to join Rev. Dr William J Barber II and the Repairers of the Breach at the border today. Perhaps happy is not the right term. I’m quite tired and a little sunburnt and ready to be home. But I think this day will be one to remember for a long time. What’s more important is that the objectives of the day be … Continue reading Today at the Border
I’m in El Paso because there is a crisis of humanity here. I am here to pay witness to the clashing of human values-both divine and evil. I’m here because I have longed to come here since seeing and reading about and hearing about children in squalid conditions in our detention centers. Then the invitation came to Rev. Dr. William Barber. And he shared the … Continue reading Why I’m in El Paso
Sunday Worship, begun Lenten series, looked at the reality of evil. Monday Began Lenten Study on We Make the Road by Walking. Had 15 people begin the study. Tuesday Breakfast with Friends of the Carpenter, local homeless outreach/woodworking shop ministry. Won this beautiful hand-turned chalice and paten. Also saw an Olympic gold medal courtesy of Roni Sasaki! Long but good day with District Committee on … Continue reading This Week in Ministry
Dear Church, Sorry this is a day late. A month from today, the United Methodist Church will be almost half-way through General Conference 2019, the process whereby we will determine our church’s position on matters of human sexuality. That position will be consequential. In my research to understand the deep ramifications of General Conference 2019, I came across this article about the various petitions that … Continue reading Praying for GC 2019 Pt 3
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