High Noon Blog

I have been trying hard to move past reporting numbers on a regular basis to the Vital Congregation website.  No one in my congregation is happy about it either, but we have agreed to try and comply.  When I read or hear misinformation propagated by the conference and my blood pressure starts rising, I try and take Bishop Lowry’s advice to our conference to "breath deep" and … [Read more...] about Institutionalizing Envy

Last year the churches I serve were asked to predict the future.  After a series of conversations, we set some goals and submitted them to the conference.  Our conference solicited the goals as part of the Vital Congregations program. I had hoped this would be a yearly request and we would not be requested to report on a regular basis to the Vital Congregation program. At a … [Read more...] about Tools and Trust

After reading Mark Tooley’s article “Is God Against Drones?” [original/repost], I wish he had actually answered the question in the title of his article.  It is a good question.  Instead, Mr. Tooley creates and attacks “The Religious Left” and ultimately argues "a Christian’s gotta do what a Christian’s gotta do in an imperfect world” (my paraphrase).  I am not sure expediency … [Read more...] about Drones

Recently, I was at a gathering of United Methodist clergy.  After accomplishing our primary goal, a pastor wanted to raise a new topic for discussion.  This pastor was all worked up about the possibility that the Boy Scouts might give individual troops the ability decide about whether to permit homosexual scouts and scout leaders.  I got the impression that the pastor wanted … [Read more...] about Why Can’t We Talk? Arrogance?

I have been thinking about innovation since I read a call for innovation and a blog post questioning the possibility.  While I am deeply sympathetic with the concerns and issues raised by both, I think innovation is not the right "I" word for the United Methodist Church.  We need incubation, not innovation. The problem with innovation is its focus.  We innovate when we can … [Read more...] about Incubation Not Innovation