Bible Leads: Mark 1:14-20

TEXT Mark 1:14-20 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus … Continue reading Bible Leads: Mark 1:14-20

Kim Davis and the Case for Clergy Education

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

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

Marionberries and Congregational Development Mumbo Jumbo in the United Methodist Church (a working title)

Around the corner from our house, in the part of town that still farms, there is a farm. We drive up the hill next to it on our way home from preschool. Right now there are big homemade signs all around the property: STRAWBERRIES. Our family knows it as a marionberry farm too, where in August we can get a bucket of marionberries fresh off … Continue reading Marionberries and Congregational Development Mumbo Jumbo in the United Methodist Church (a working title)

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 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: John 10:11-18

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