When I was little, my mother would take me to the library almost every week. My brothers and I were allowed to pick books from the children’s section of Thomas Beaver library. I loved biographies, books based on old horror movies, and choose your own adventure books. A choose your own adventure book is one with multiple endings. At the end of each page, the reader is … [Read more...] about Choose your own adventure
Power – the real elephant in the room
Power is at the heart of this Sunday’s gospel lesson. Jesus' message about the Good News of the kingdom of God/God’s Reign/God’s way threatened the powers of his day. You cannot call out the powers of the world, the ways of sin and death, and not expect the powers to react. Especially when those powers think they are on God’s side (or the gods), but you are contending they … [Read more...] about Power – the real elephant in the room
Can the Language of Leadership Be Redeemed?
Can the language of leadership be redeemed? I find the language of leadership (developed in the business world) deeply problematic. When I hear pastors talk about churches as franchises, or businesses I cringe. The newest cringe inducing statement is a justification for online communion. United Methodist liturgical leaders urged a moratorium on online communion after it … [Read more...] about Can the Language of Leadership Be Redeemed?
Sacrifice
After listening to this week’s episode of On The Media I was left wondering why we are so obsessed with John F. Kennedy as a culture. I never really thought about it before. Part of me really liked the explanation that it is Baby Boomer narcissism, it appealed to my generational superiority complex. Obviously the assassination has something to do with it. I know I often … [Read more...] about Sacrifice
Schism
This post is part of a synchblog to celebrate the one year anniversary of Dream UMC. One of the most popular passages in the book of Galatians is the one on the fruits of the Spirit. Pastors love to preach sermon series based on it. Christians love to memorize it. What is less popular are the verses that immediately precede it. Before Paul describes the fruits of the … [Read more...] about Schism