Normally I am not a defender of the status quo. I strongly believe most things could be better. I also am not usually a defender of some golden glorious past that allegedly happened and that we should try to recapture. While I love history, I try not to value or preserve anything simply because one could argue it is historical. When I hear people … [Read more...] about Worldview
Feeding and Being Fed
A while ago, a pastor I know posted on Facebook the following prayer request: I found myself very agitated after reading it. Whenever I hear or read that “not being fed” is a reason someone is considering leaving a church, I get annoyed. For me, it seems to capture succinctly what is wrong with many churches today. When did the church become about us being fed? … [Read more...] about Feeding and Being Fed
Infection
Just as I thought the attacks on the United Methodist judicial council would end over the reinstatement of guaranteed appointments for clergy, the council has made another decision that is getting many United Methodists upset. The reinstatement of Bishop Bledsoe will probably lead to more attacks on the council. Some will undoubtedly call for some sort of retribution like … [Read more...] about Infection
They Will Know Us By
Jack Jackson offers the United Methodist church four options on how to deal with our "debate over progressive views lesiban and gay ordination and marriage." He advocates that we pursue disunion. I strongly disagree. When you frame the issue the way Mr. Jackson frames it, and give us only four options, then that may indeed be the best option. The problem is though that we … [Read more...] about They Will Know Us By
Correlation Does Not Imply Causation
After reading Talbot Davis's post on "The Five Things Methodists Can Learn From Independent Churches," I think it needs to be said that: "correlation does not imply causation." As United Methodists continue to worry about a lack of quantitative success, as judged by worldly standards of bigger and more, I understand the temptation to look at other churches that seem more … [Read more...] about Correlation Does Not Imply Causation