It's been my practice for several years now to hold two services on Christmas Eve--an early one that is more family/kid friendly and a traditional lessons and carols late (at 11 p.m.). The late service is always the easier one to plan, for it really just involves readings and hymn selections. However, designing a service … Continue reading Planning for Christmas Eve — Re-Working a Traditional Song
Category: Church
A False Gospel and the Church [Randy Cooper]
As I have thought about it these years, I believe I was captive to the false gospel ofGnosticism though one could perhaps speak of Donatism. Gnosticism is found in every churchbasement, and no seminary is free of it. Among other things, Gnosticism is our dualistic longingfor a pure church and our unwillingness to believe that … Continue reading A False Gospel and the Church [Randy Cooper]
Using the Common English Bible in Worship
For the past several months we have been using The Common English Bible in worship at the Old Hickory UMC where I serve and given that the good folks at the CEB have asked me to write about their translation during National Bible Week, it makes sense to share our experience. I confess that I … Continue reading Using the Common English Bible in Worship
Disciplemaking – Art or Science?
This weekend our neighbors at the Baptist church down the street are putting on a neighborhood fair, and as a part of that event they asked if I had any knowledge on someone who could lead a “square-dance” for them. what they didn’t know is that 100 pounds and 2 kids ago, I used to … Continue reading Disciplemaking – Art or Science?
Disciplemaking – Art or Science?
This weekend our neighbors at the Baptist church down the street are putting on a neighborhood fair, and as a part of that event they asked if I had any knowledge on someone who could lead a “square-dance” for them. what they didn’t know is that 100 pounds and 2 kids ago, I used to … Continue reading Disciplemaking – Art or Science?
Rebuilding Trust — The Bishop’s and DS’s Dilemma
As I stated a couple of days ago, one of the struggles we face in the United Methodist Church is a lack of trust. While this is true at all levels, the place where it seems to be most before us today is in the relationship between the local church pastor and the D.S. and … Continue reading Rebuilding Trust — The Bishop’s and DS’s Dilemma
A comment on my previous post which will probably won’t make anyone any happier…
In my previous post I raised some questions related to a statement that Amy DeLong made in regards to change and grace. Several folks have rightly suggested that I took the sentence in question out of context, and that Amy was obviously referring to change in regards to GLBT folks who have spent their lives … Continue reading A comment on my previous post which will probably won’t make anyone any happier…
Oh, I’m probably going to tick all sorts of people off….
Earlier today, a buddy of mine sent me a link to an interview on the Believe OutLoud website with Amy DeLong, who was recently tried for being an open lesbian and for performing same-sex marriage/covenant ceremonies. In the end, she was acquitted on the first charge for she refused to talk about her sexual practices … Continue reading Oh, I’m probably going to tick all sorts of people off….
The Dilemma Of Leading a Church in Decline
One of the hallmarks of my ministry as a solo pastor is that I have been sent to congregations that at sometime in their life have been growing and thriving places but due to difficult pastoral appointments, changes in community community demographics, and poor decision making at crucial times along the way, these congregations now … Continue reading The Dilemma Of Leading a Church in Decline
Revised Thoughts on the Tennessee Annual Conference 2011
Editor's Note: It must have been late last night because I posted this on the wrong blog. I'll be removing this from Just Nashville, which is generally focused on Nashville advocacy. The comments in italics below represent some additional commentary on the first post. --jv It’s late and I don’t have the energy to think … Continue reading Revised Thoughts on the Tennessee Annual Conference 2011
Thinking About the Ascension
Here's an image I've been thinking about in regards to today's sermon. I really wish we had video screens this morning. Here's a preview of what we'll be talking about: Click here to check out this morning's sermon.
8 Reasons That I Am Attending SoulFeast
Yeah, I sound like a broken record, but like any convert I want to encourage anyone who reads this blog, follows me on Facebook or Twitter, or who simply lands here by accident, to think about attending the Upper Room’s Soulfeast Conference at Lake Junaluska. No, it’s not as hip as the Wild Goose Festival, … Continue reading 8 Reasons That I Am Attending SoulFeast
Take Another Look — A Sermon for Easter Sunday
Ever since I have been in parish ministry, my wife Kay and I have rarely worshipped together as we have served different congregations. However, with her being on leave this year we actually got to be in the same building on Easter Sunday. She said that she thought this sermon was pretty good and since … Continue reading Take Another Look — A Sermon for Easter Sunday
#UMLEAD: The View From Table 9–Part 2
Earlier this morning I posted an overview of my participation in the UM Leadership Summit event, focusing on the first of the three “Summit Questions” and providing a sense of where the conversation was focused at Table 9 of the TN Conference Event, where I served as the scribe. This is the second of the … Continue reading #UMLEAD: The View From Table 9–Part 2
#UMLEAD: The View From Table 9–Part 2
Earlier this morning I posted an overview of my participation in the UM Leadership Summit event, focusing on the first of the three “Summit Questions” and providing a sense of where the conversation was focused at Table 9 of the TN Conference Event, where I served as the scribe. This is the second of the … Continue reading #UMLEAD: The View From Table 9–Part 2
Do United Methodists Believe in Hope?
During the past couple of weeks, in the midst of the conversation surrounding Rob Bell’s book and the dismissal of Chad Holtz from his position in North Carolina, I have found myself engaged in some though on hope. Some of this is due to teaching a class on N.T. Wright’s Surprised by Hope, in which … Continue reading Do United Methodists Believe in Hope?
When Will They Ever Learn? Some thoughts on the Rob Bell conversation.
I’ve been hesitant to offer comment on the ever swirling conversation surrounding Rob Bell’s latest offering, “Love Wins,” for there are more than enough words being thrown around from both sides of the debate. For my money, Tony Jone’s analysis of Bell was the among my favorites. Yet, in thinking about the whole thing this … Continue reading When Will They Ever Learn? Some thoughts on the Rob Bell conversation.
An Open Letter to Tony Jones
Dear Tony, We’ve been friends for a while, and I have learned over time to pretty much ignore your rants on denominationalism, recognizing a disconnect with those expressions of faith. But given the latest ramping up of attack with your new Ecclesialeak feature, especially given that you’ve attacked my tribe first, I feel I have … Continue reading An Open Letter to Tony Jones
Understanding Who We Are as Methodists
Arminius’ affirmation that regeneration precedes even the first movement of the will toward God may surprise even many Arminians. It is usually thought that only Calvinists believe that regeneration precedes conversion. However, as later Arminians explain perhaps better than Arminius himself did, the regeneration of which the Dutch theologian here spoke is not complete regeneration … Continue reading Understanding Who We Are as Methodists
I Love Youth Ministers
Dear youth ministry friends, Having spent the past weekend at our annual conference's annual winter youth event, I just wanted you to know that I love you. You have a task that is more likely to result in condemnation than praise when some mom feels that little Johnny has been slighted, or when that spontaneous … Continue reading I Love Youth Ministers
Only Wonder Understands 