In listening to Kim Davis defend her stance against same-sex marriages, I hear familiar arguments and punch lines. Ms. Davis vaguely cites scripture and claims God as her authority. She uses fundamentalist lingo, like telling a gay couple they would be answering to God at judgement. How did she learn to speak and reason like that? She has her own story of waywardness and salvation. But … Continue reading Kim Davis and the Case for Clergy Education
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
I support the decision by the Judicial Council to uphold Rev. Frank Schaefer’s reinstatement to Ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church. But let’s be clear: it was a technical win. The changing of hearts for full inclusion of LGBTQ persons in the church remains the chief goal and the tougher work. [Insert cold water here.] As a disciple of Jesus Christ as well as one Michael G. … Continue reading It’s a Good Day for Frank Schaefer but only a Partially Good Day for Methodism
The Mountain Vista Moment of 2013…A Son is Born In the run-up to the due date, I was, admittedly, hoping for another daughter. A. has been such a delight and I was nervous about having a boy. Since we waited to find out the gender of our second-born, I was calm but uncertain. Wow, was I wrong. What a delightful and charming little guy we … Continue reading A Mountainous 2013
You may have heard that New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has organized the 10th Anniversary 9/11 Ceremony at Ground Zero in a manner that excludes prayer and the presence of clergy. Perhaps, given that 9/11/11 is a Sunday all clergy are busy leading their congregations. But that would only be Christian clergy. Are there no apt clergy from other faiths available? Clearly something is … Continue reading How the 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero would benefit from the Presence of Clergy
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