You probably expect me to pray for you. That’s fair. And I do, even if I keep a fairly open definition of prayer. I think about you all the time. I fret over you and on your behalf. If I know your current dilemma or your current blessing, I worry or smile accordingly. As a clergyperson, I try to do the old Levite thing, which … Continue reading WHY CHURCH? To Give Order and Structure in a Chaotic World
I suffer from FOMO. This stands for “Fear of Missing Out” and describes the phenomena of checking social media obsessively. One does this to not “miss out” on a funny or important post from your friends, your favorite news site or your favorite media outlet. It is automatic most of the time. When my conscious mind re-emerges, I usually feel horribly wasteful and vain. Also, … Continue reading One More Thing about Crosses
I remember whining to Rick about my inability to sustain a running habit. He said to me something like ‘just make sure you start over one more time than you quit’. I can’t say I’ve started over with running again, but I have taken advantage of Daylight Savings to be up walking early again. It is nice to start the day with 5,000 steps to … Continue reading Starting Again
Dear Church, I want to begin by apologizing for missing last week’s post. I had a post begun, but in the chaos of life it languished in the draft folder and never got out in time. I want to continue asking you to pray for General Conference 2019 which is only 3 weeks away. This is the most consequential meeting of United Methodists since our … Continue reading Praying for GC2019 Pt. 4
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
Dear Church, Last week I asked you to begin praying for General Conference 2019 every Wednesday through February 27, the day after the Conference closes. In my original invitation in our January Sower article, I confessed that I really didn’t know what to pray for. This is still a murky issue for me. But as I’ve tried to model the way for you as a … Continue reading Praying for GC 2019 Pt 2
Dear Church, As I shared in last week’s Sower article, I am asking us to pray for General Conference 2019 taking place in St. Louis February 23-26. This General Conference will address the church’s stances on issues of human sexuality amidst a climate of serious division. It’s hard to pray in the darkness of ignorance and I am aware that this may seem very new … Continue reading Praying for GC 2019
Dear Church, What shall we as Christians think and do regarding the ongoing controversies between teachers and their employing school districts? I offer these principles and practices for your consideration. Principles Traditionally United Methodists favor strong public schools and the rights of people to bargain collectively. Specifically, we have adopted the following social principles and resolutions. We believe that every person has the right to … Continue reading The Church in a Strike
You can read the Bible better. It doesn’t take a degree in religion. It does require some skills that too often are relegated to the academy. Those skills can be acquired and practiced by everyday people. You probably suspect that there are layers of meaning in the text. You hear great preachers and teachers reveal these layers. Maybe you think that level of understanding is … Continue reading Reading the Bible Better
On September 1st, I began my 3rd year in ministry with you here at Orchards. It has been an honor to have been with you for 2 good years. I just want to briefly mention my love for you and this congregation. You may not realize it, but 2.5 years ago I was looking for work outside of the church. I am glad that circumstances … Continue reading Now Loading: Year Three at Orchards
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