Bible Leads: Ephesians 2:11-22

TEXT Ephesians 2:11-22 So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called ‘the uncircumcision’ by those who are called ‘the circumcision’—a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands— remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. … Continue reading Bible Leads: Ephesians 2:11-22

The Confederate Flag, Mary Poppins, Family Systems Theory, American Exceptionalism and Some Cute German Girls I Met in England

Mary Poppins: A Starting Place I was watching Mary Poppins with my children the other day. There is a scene where Mary Poppins is talking about Mr. Banks’ general inattentiveness to his surroundings. In teaching Jane and Michael about the birdwoman on the steps of St. Paul’s Mary Poppins remarks that “sometimes a person we love, through no fault of their own, can’t see past … Continue reading The Confederate Flag, Mary Poppins, Family Systems Theory, American Exceptionalism and Some Cute German Girls I Met in England

On Not Preaching about Charleston

I can only think of one good reason to not preach on the Charleston shootings: you can’t think of anything to say. Maybe you had exhausted all the things you could say after Ferguson or Staten Island or Baltimore, or Trayvon Martin or Tamir Rice. I understand. I don’t quite condone it, since speaking to the sins of the world is part of the preacher’s … Continue reading On Not Preaching about Charleston

Perkatory: Community Context of My Dream Church

This is part of a series I’m writing about My Dream Church. My Dream Church is a Cafe Church (not a church with a cafe). See the Introduction here. My Dream Church is a Cafe Church called Perkatory. This is not a church with a cafe, but a cafe that is a church. The cafe serves as a central element to the rest of the church. … Continue reading Perkatory: Community Context of My Dream Church

Bible Leads: Mark 4:35-41

Bible Leads is a rendering of my sermon preparation: researching facts & cross-references, drawing up connections through personal experiences, art and music and discerning the essence of the text. Text Mark 4:35-41 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just … Continue reading Bible Leads: Mark 4:35-41

Bible Leads: Mark 4:26-34

Bible Leads is a rendering of my sermon preparation: researching facts & cross-references, drawing up connections through personal experiences, art and music and discerning the essence of the text. Text Mark 4:26-34 He also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he … Continue reading Bible Leads: Mark 4:26-34