"As the father of four children, I am absolutely appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama's socialist ideology. The idea that school children across our nation will be forced to watch the President justify his plans for government-run health care, banks, and automobile companies, increasing taxes on those who create jobs, … Continue reading The End of National Respect – A Letter to Jim Greer
Author: Jay Voorhees
Jay Voorhees is a pastor, writer, and community activist located in Nashville, TN. Jay currently is the pastor of the City Road Chapel United Methodist Church in Madison, TN, and is engaged in helping to connect others to the example and teaching of Jesus Christ and to take seriously Christ’s call to love our neighbors in radical ways.
Jay is the co-founder of The MethoBlog, a site that aggregates the writings of Methodist-related bloggers throughout the world, and is the former managing editor of The United Methodist Reporter. Jay has been involved in the United Methodist Church at both the local and national level since 1988. Jay is also the owner of Only Wonder Media, a boutique book and media publisher.
The End of National Respect – A Letter to Jim Greer
"As the father of four children, I am absolutely appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama's socialist ideology. The idea that school children across our nation will be forced to watch the President justify his plans for government-run health care, banks, and automobile companies, increasing taxes on those who create jobs, … Continue reading The End of National Respect – A Letter to Jim Greer
Like Breath and Water
We need prayer – like breath and water. It keeps us alive. --Ciona D. Rouse from “Like Breath and Water: Praying With Africa” Last night I went to Africa. I didn’t catch a midnight flight out of Nashville International and head to Lagos, although I confess I might indeed do that sometime in the next … Continue reading Like Breath and Water
The Music City Center Skeptic – Part 2
The last time I wrote on this topic I focused on the financial subterfuge in which we seem to be participating here in Music City. Of course there are many who would say that I am splitting hairs, and I’m willing to plead guilty to a bit of fiber carving. Yet let’s be honest in … Continue reading The Music City Center Skeptic – Part 2
The Music City Center Skeptic – Part 2
The last time I wrote on this topic I focused on the financial subterfuge in which we seem to be participating here in Music City. Of course there are many who would say that I am splitting hairs, and I’m willing to plead guilty to a bit of fiber carving. Yet let’s be honest in … Continue reading The Music City Center Skeptic – Part 2
Gift Stories Wanted
I am trying to put together a daily devotional guide for our congregation’s stewardship covenant month and am looking for some stories about people receiving gifts. If you have a few minutes, would you be willing to submit your short (a paragraph or two at most) story about receiving a gift? This could include the … Continue reading Gift Stories Wanted
Did God create Adam and Steve?
…After all God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve! For far too many years now the church of Jesus Christ has found itself divided over considerations of sexual identity, orientation, etc. This division is often characterized by name calling and shouting out trite statements like the one above, serving to undermine the church’s … Continue reading Did God create Adam and Steve?
Failing To Trust Ourselves
Yesterday I made the mistake of posting an obscure scream on Twitter about a frustration I was feeling in regards to what seems to be an increasing trend in United Methodist leadership. Many seemed confused by my comment that it seemed to me at the time that leaders in our communion seem to think being … Continue reading Failing To Trust Ourselves
Another Music City Center Skeptic – Part 1
One of the ongoing recent debates in my hometown has been the development and creation of a new convention center for our city, known as the Music City Center. As a former meeting planner responsible for a large denomination meeting, I understand both the need and desire for a new convention center in Nashville. Our … Continue reading Another Music City Center Skeptic – Part 1
Another Music City Center Skeptic – Part 1
One of the ongoing recent debates in my hometown has been the development and creation of a new convention center for our city, known as the Music City Center. As a former meeting planner responsible for a large denomination meeting, I understand both the need and desire for a new convention center in Nashville. Our … Continue reading Another Music City Center Skeptic – Part 1
The Church of our Youth
There has been a conversation that I’ve had many times during my ministry when I am talking with folks about why they chose to be a part our church… Me: So, why have you decided to hang around? What is it about our church that you find appealing? Them: Well, it reminds me of … Continue reading The Church of our Youth
The Myth of Relevancy
rel·e·vant Pronunciation: \ˈre-lə-vənt\ Function: adjective Etymology: Medieval Latin relevant-, relevans, from Latin, present participle of relevare to raise up 1 a : having significant and demonstrable bearing on the matter at hand b : affording evidence tending to prove or disprove the matter at issue or under discussion Back in my youth one of the … Continue reading The Myth of Relevancy
A Eulogy for a Friend
I’m not sure when I first met Beth Luton. There is a sense that she’s always been around in my life, a prevenient presence that is comfortable from the beginning. Her family has been intertwined in my life for the past twenty years from the time I decided to visit the West Nashville United Methodist … Continue reading A Eulogy for a Friend
Update From Percy Priest
I sent out a twitter message a while back asking for prayers for a situation at a birthday party Grace was attending out at the Anderson Rd. Recreation Area at Percy Priest. One of the children in attendance (a teenager around age 16) named Ernest got in trouble swimming and went under. There were several other … Continue reading Update From Percy Priest
Sally Morgenthaller @ TN Annual Conference, Session 3
Live blogging Sally Morgenthaller’s presentation to the TN Annual Conference 2009 Starts out with a clip from Ice Age How would you tell some of the parables in images like was done in the clip? Henri Nouwen saw the great painting of the prodigal son in Leningrad, which opened up the entire painting, leading to … Continue reading Sally Morgenthaller @ TN Annual Conference, Session 3
Sally Morgenthaler @ TN Annual Conference, Session 2
Live blogging from the stage of Sally Morgenthaler’s presentation to the Tennessee Annual Conference. Sally is the founder of Sacramentis, and a reknowned leader in the area of worship. I’m not sure the outline form really works for this, but bullet points don’t work in this template, so bear with me… Are you ready to … Continue reading Sally Morgenthaler @ TN Annual Conference, Session 2
Sally Morgenthaler @ TN Annual Conference – Session 1
Live blogging from the stage of Sally Morgenthaler’s presentation to the Tennessee Annual Conference. Sally is the founder of Sacramentis, and a reknowned leader in the area of worship. Revelation 5 as a model of passionate worship. What are you passionate about? Sally’s recent passions – Family grandchilds: Nathan and Roman Family is a passion … Continue reading Sally Morgenthaler @ TN Annual Conference – Session 1
Sally Morgenthaler @ TN Annual Conference – Session 1
Live blogging from the stage of Sally Morgenthaler’s presentation to the Tennessee Annual Conference. Sally is the founder of Sacramentis, and a reknowned leader in the area of worship. Revelation 5 as a model of passionate worship. What are you passionate about? Sally’s recent passions – Family grandchilds: Nathan and Roman Family is a passion … Continue reading Sally Morgenthaler @ TN Annual Conference – Session 1
CMA Fest at the End of Day 1
Some of you have been seeing my tweets throughout the day originating from CMA Fest downtown this weekend. Before I go any farther in talking about my impressions as a Nashville native, I need to make a couple of disclaimers. First, take my tweets with a grain of salt for it is always easier to … Continue reading CMA Fest at the End of Day 1
He Feels Like An Old Friend
I've been rekindling an appreciation of the music of John Michael Talbot, who I first encountered in the late '70's prior to his move toward Roman Catholicism. JMT's music always moved me, and The Painter (done with his brother Terry) is perhaps one of the finest albums ever. Here is one of the best songs … Continue reading He Feels Like An Old Friend
Only Wonder Understands 