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 John 15:1-8 ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more … Continue reading Bible Leads: John 15:1-8
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 John 10:11-18 ‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming … Continue reading Bible Leads: John 10:11-18
Why am I thinking about My Dream Church? Continue reading Perkatory: Why I am Thinking about My Dream Church
The Text Luke 24:36b-48 While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, ‘Why are you frightened (see: fear in Luke), and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that … Continue reading Bible Leads: Luke 24:36b-48
Here is my struggle: I feel God’s calling in my life. I feel a great sense of responsibility to it. Being responsible to my calling is being responsible and faithful to God. It’s that serious for me. I know others, not exclusive to clergy, have a similar view. But, under an episcopal system such as United Methodism, my calling is subject to the system of itineracy, whereby … Continue reading Itineracy and God’s Calling in Your Life
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. I have been thinking about My Dream Church, a cafe church called Perkatory. This series is allowing me to think and rethink church, and update my understanding of what a church is and what it does. Perkatory … Continue reading Perkatory: Discipleship at My Dream Church
Just some notes from my sermon this past Easter, April 5, 2015. Preached at Sunnyside United Methodist Church, Portland, OR. Scripture: Mark 16:1-8 I must not believe in resurrection, if I did… Wouldn’t worry Money | Security | Reputation | Future Wouldn’t fear speaking up against things that angered me. Racism | Terrorism | Disdain for the poor Wouldn’t shun the sadness around me Homeless … Continue reading Notes from My Easter Sermon
The Text John 20:19-31 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they … Continue reading Bible Leads: John 20:19-31
This park bench. This sunny sky. This pond overlook. This Thursday of holiness. This escape from work. This unsuccessful escape from worry. This break from job description reading. This pause in phantom interview taking. This poem reminding me I have a job. This booklet begging to be filled. This mind full of concern. This soul bereft of friendship. This theology challenged by crucifixion. This humility … Continue reading This Day
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. A church is only as good as the principles on which it stands. I want to be part of a church whose principles I am proud to recite and uphold. Our principles are based on our beliefs … Continue reading Perkatory: The Principles and Practices of My Dream Church
