Category: United Methodist
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“Potential”: A sermon preached on May 17, 2020, for the First United Methodist Church of Orlando
With the help of God’s grace, whatever and whoever I will be in heaven, in some way I already am and have the potential of becoming. My future heavenly reality, is already possible in my present. Whatever growth, or perfecting, or cleansing, or healing, or forgiveness I expect will happen…
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The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: The Hero White and Black America Needed, and Needs.
maybe, white America needed and needs Dr. King as much as black America did and does, to confront our privilege and unconscious racial biases, to challenge our complicit participation in societal injustices, and to awaken us to the great gift of diversity and the myriad contributions of African-Americans to American…
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Spiritual Leadership
Somebody needs to be asking, “What is Jesus’ vision for our church? What is Jesus calling us to do and be? How is Jesus calling us to learn and grow? How does Jesus want us to spend these offerings? How does Jesus want us to use these buildings? Who does…
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The Deep Center
Here’s my concern. If the United Methodist Church divides, which seems increasingly likely – and possibly necessary – what happens to the deep center?
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Anticipated Restoration
I find remarkable comfort and encouragement in these stories from Holy Week. If Jesus couldn’t find twelve better disciples than these, then maybe there’s hope for me and my ministry. If Jesus, knowing the disciples would fall short when he needed them, still planned to forgive and restore them afterward,…
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Lament
I posted the following on my Facebook page in September, 2016. Someone reposted it today. I feel like I could have written it today…. Lament. “Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament.” Psalm 5:1 For months, I’ve read many posts about issues ranging from gay marriage to the presidential election…
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Blogging silence, hard questions, passive aggression, and the Jesus-litmus test
Though I’m wrestling with loads of hard questions (for me) these days, I don’t claim to have many answers. Though I don’t claim to be absolutely “right” about much of anything, I’m increasingly convinced that we are wrong about MANY things. The litmus test for me is Jesus…
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Let it rain
My particular brand of Christianity is Methodist. One of my favorite things about Methodism is our belief that, following conversion, God begins a new work in us, growing us toward full maturity in Christ. We believe, with God’s help and our active participation, we will become like Jesus.
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Being a “cracked-pot” pastor…
I still find myself wondering, almost daily, “Is this what a pastor is supposed to think, say, feel, do?” I often conclude the answer must be “no.” After almost twenty-five years of ministry, I’m still figuring out this job every day.
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