...in the days before everything was done on your computer. I was shocked to find a music video I edited back in the late '90's on YouTube by the band Commissioned, which was Fred Hammond's first band. Enjoy!
Blog
Song of the Day — Smashville
I stumbled upon Sierra Hull a few months ago and if I wasn't old enought to be her father I would be in love. What an amazing talent, and this piece is da bomb.
Yesterday
A frantic phone call.A rushed shower.Speeding down the highway wishing that the car would go just a little faster. A colleague, parishioner, church member, friend stretched out on the floor with the breath of life gone. Tears.Hugs.Phone calls.Prayers.Plans.Remembering that God is with us.A quick trip back to the church.Questions with few answers.Conversation.More tears and hugs.More … Continue reading Yesterday
The Future of the United Methodist Church
I met Mike Baughman through a curtain in a convention center in Tampa. I was working for the United Methodist News Service as a social media maven. Mike was in a similar role for the United Methodist Reporter. Our desks were next to one another, and I had a great time getting to know him, … Continue reading The Future of the United Methodist Church
A note from a pastor of a wounded congregation
A few days ago I posted a link to a website which shared some information from members of a congregation who felt that they have been marginalized by the denominational hierarchy in their annual conference. As I stated in that post I fully recognized that they represented one side of what is very likely a … Continue reading A note from a pastor of a wounded congregation
VIVID
It’s not very often that I write here about happenings in my ministry in the local church. Some might suggest that this is because I’m too concerned with general church concerns, and that my inattention to what’s going on at the Old Hickory UMC is a sign of my ineffectiveness as a pastor. But the … Continue reading VIVID
A blatant plug for a friend…Interview with Rachel Held Evans
What I’ve loved about my experiences with UMC churches so far is that each one has been different than the last. Once I spoke to a UMC church plant that met in a theater and was comprised primarily of young adults under 40. Another time, I preached at a UMC church in which most of … Continue reading A blatant plug for a friend…Interview with Rachel Held Evans
Praying In Color
Several years ago someone introduced me to a book called Praying in Color which outlined a prayer process using drawing as a means for connecting to God at the level of our creativity. I've played around with that off and on ever since, knowing that I'm not much of an artist, but seeing what God would … Continue reading Praying In Color
A Letter from a Wounded Congregation
When I wrote my letter to Bishop Willimon, I really didn't expect it to receive the response it did. As a result, I've received several (many?) messages and e-mails thanking me for verbalizing what they would have liked to say to our United Methodist bishops, but were afraid to do so in fear of retaliation … Continue reading A Letter from a Wounded Congregation
I Love our Bishops
In my recent letter to Bishop Willimon in response to his United Methodist Reporter commentary I was pretty hard on our bishops in my attempt to address what I heard the Bishop say about the lack of trust of the General Conference in Tampa. Somehow, he implied, the Council of Bishops were the victims in all … Continue reading I Love our Bishops
A Prayer for a New Day
Loving God, as the birds chirp outside the window, and the sun begins to peek through the shade, I turn my eyes to you. It's time for a new day, not simply the rising of the sun and the procession of the clock hands, but the rising of the new light in our lives. We … Continue reading A Prayer for a New Day
Ken Carter on our focus in ministry
Ken Carter is a friend, colleague, mentor, and I hope will soon be a bishop. He wrote a great blog post reminding us that much of what we need to move into the future is already at our disposal. This paragraph resonated with me: Our gift to the individual seeker and to a jaded and … Continue reading Ken Carter on our focus in ministry
An Open Letter to Bishop William Willimon
Dear Bishop Willimon, This morning the net was abuzz with commentary about your UMR article on "Church by Committee." Frankly there was little in the article that surprised me for I've known you long enough to know of your disdain for the system that we are both part of. I have heard you speak pretty … Continue reading An Open Letter to Bishop William Willimon
A Letter to Tony Jones from a United Methodist
This morning emergent guru and bomb-thrower Tony Jones used Bishop Willimon's latest UMR commentary as a justification for shutting down the United Methodist Church. He suggested that all young clergy should get out while the getting is good: I just hope that enough of you young UMC clergy have the temerity to stand up and … Continue reading A Letter to Tony Jones from a United Methodist
George Tinker calls GC2012 to Repentance
The Service of Repentance continues as I speak, but I need to offer a quick word of thanks to Dr. George Tinker for his prophetic word which taught all of us a history that has been pushed under the carpet, and calling us to communal repentance with a gentle spirit that was challenging and yet … Continue reading George Tinker calls GC2012 to Repentance
The Victor!!
There were many things that question about the late Keith Green's theology, but I can never fault his passion when it came to the resurrection of Jesus. Here is another great song on the Easter story.
Christ IS Risen!
Now Watch This…
A Vision for the Church…
Watch this. Now!
Sometimes ya just get tired…
…of the continuing rhetorical battle between different camps in the church. One group objects to male language about God.Another thinks that attempts to be sensitive to language is simple political correctness and not at all a means for inviting the former group into conversation. Both sides are convinced of their “rightness,” and in the strength … Continue reading Sometimes ya just get tired…
Only Wonder Understands 