My opposition to a proposed measure extending the West Virginia Annual Conference‘s quadrennial focus on evangelism garnered a few atta-boys, which was really nice. The measure also passed by a score of everybody else-to-about 6. I have never garnered the courage to speak on the floor of the Annual Conference session. I had a good argument chiseled out in my brain. I walked into the … Continue reading Winning and Losing at Annual Conference
A Proposed Resolution at the 2011 session of the West Virginia Annual Conference (#wvac2011) seeks to renew our current quadrennial focus on Evangelism. The proposed resolution is entitled “Making Disciples Who Make Disciples” to be the 2012-2016 Quadrennial Focus. I will be voting no on this measure for several reasons. The Church exists to serve others. My main objection to the Resolution is its self-centeredness. … Continue reading Evangelism: Why I’m Voting ‘No’
Photo: 9 month old girl crying, labeled “[girl’s name] Social Emotional” This was in a stack of old materials sent home from A.’s daycare. It is a terrible looking picture. It is also really out of character for A., who is quite social and a very charming baby. From the photo’s time stamp, I, as parent, know that A. was suffering from RSV and related … Continue reading I Don’t Give a D*mn ‘Bout My Bad Reputation
REI voluntarily audits its practices every year to measure their proficiency in areas of “Community”, “Sustainable Operations”, and “Workplace”. They call this Stewardship. As a co-op, REI is accountable to more than just ‘shareholders’. Each major category has an overall goal (under “Workplace” REI states a goal of being “a nationally recognized top employer”). You can read the 2010 audit right here. I’m an REI … Continue reading How Non-Churches do Stewardship
Kindness. It is the best calling card of The Church. Of all the commandments that Jesus gives us, ‘going and doing likewise’ in terms of showing mercy, has to be near the top. It is a virtue in and of itself. Ideally, the Christian needs no other motivation to show mercy than Jesus commanded it. Thanks be to God there are other good reasons to … Continue reading Learning to Love My Loony-bin Neighbors
My five favorite items of the past week and why I like them: My Faith: A reluctant churchgoer ‘gets the Holy Ghost’. John Blake returns to the church of his upbringing, where people “shouted, wept and fainted,” and where his Aunt Sylvia found strength to raise him. Casualty Call: Reflections on Good Friday. Joe Carter, a Marine, writes about being a Casualty Assistance Calls Officer, notifying next-of-kin … Continue reading Friday 5: Favorite Posts of Week
We do not lack knowledge. We have the knowledge of both Good and Evil. We have explored the farthest reaches of the knowledge of evil. Can any more gruesome or horrifying act be invented than those gruesome and horrifying acts we already commit? Can war become any more depraved than it already is? Can neglect of the suffering world become any more prevalent? Can complacency … Continue reading Beauty
Note: This series on The Church as it is presented in Acts seeks to: (A) examine the character and praxis of the first church, (B) apply lessons from the first church to the contemporary church and (C) gain a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between discipleship, church life and leadership. This examination is inspired by the many church leaders who espouse the “Acts 2 … Continue reading The Acts 1 Church
My 5 favorite items of the past week and why I like them. My Take: Read the Bible, even if you don’t believe in it, CNN Belief Blog. I love this appreciative take on scripture: how it opens up meaning in other venues of life, how it illuminates the conundrums in life, how it calls us to think for ourselves. Church reaches out after shooting, … Continue reading Friday 5: Favorite Posts
April 22 is an odd day this year. Some have made the link between Good Friday and Earth Day. Some have said ‘Please don’t‘. Complicating matters for me, personally, is the fact that my daughter’s first birthday just happens to be April 22, 2011. We will celebrate A.’s birthday on Saturday. It’s not that Good Friday is a bad time to conserve energy, commit to … Continue reading Because Lent is NOT about Social Justice
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