12 Steps of Church Transformation: Step 2 — A Power Greater Than Us #1

We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. --12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous-- So far, the 12 steps have asked us to admit that we are powerless to effect change and manage our churches and denominations. But the 12 step model goes even further, suggesting that our problems … Continue reading 12 Steps of Church Transformation: Step 2 — A Power Greater Than Us #1 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

A MethoBlogger at General Conference

The details are still being finalized, but I can now announce that I will be part of the team from United Methodist News Service reporting from the General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Tampa this April and May. They are bringing me along as a sort of blogger in residence, including a social … Continue reading A MethoBlogger at General Conference →

Getting Organized

I don't leave until tomorrow, so I have been checking out the GC web sites to see what is happening. One smart thing they have done this year is to schedule orientations for delegates all day and waiting to start the opening worship until tonight. In past years the conference opening worship was usually in … Continue reading Getting Organized →