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I spent more than two decades inside the United Methodist Church’s General Conference, the global gathering held every four years where the denomination makes its most consequential decisions. I started in 1988 in a technical role, managing video services, close enough to the machinery to understand how it worked. Over the next several conferences, I […]

I haven’t written here in a while. Life has been full, the Substack has kept me busy, and honestly, this old blog started to feel like a room I’d stopped going into. But something happened in the news yesterday that sent me straight to the keyboard, and it didn’t belong anywhere else. So here I […]

I think most folks that follow me in any way know that this past July I assumed a new appointment as the lead pastor of a medium size church here in Nashville. In the course of orienting myself to the congregation (as well as letting folks get to know be better) I held 8 meetings […]

In this morning’s rant on the media, in an attempt to suggest that more folks are are interested in substantive news than might be thought by the media, I shared an anecdote about teaching I received in seminary which suggested that deep study of scripture and tradition wouldn’t fly in the local church, and my […]

I’ve been spending this week taking care of my sickly mom and her sister who underwent surgery at the beginning of the week. Generally it’s a low demand task – getting a few meals together, making sure that they get their meds on time, and keeping the dishes washed. However, what it does open my […]

I’ve been spending this week taking care of my sickly mom and her sister who underwent surgery at the beginning of the week. Generally it’s a low demand task – getting a few meals together, making sure that they get their meds on time, and keeping the dishes washed. However, what it does open my […]

It’s been almost a year since I wrote this in memory of Jack Jagoditsch, my Young Life leader in high school and a mentor in faith. In honor of his birthday today, you might want to check it out. Requiem for a Mentor

Several years ago I was visiting a friend of mine’s church when I noticed signs posted on almost every surface in the church proclaiming that congregation’s “theme” for the year. “Christ Church – It’s all about relationships!” the signs said. I confess that my initial response to this theme was less than positive at the […]

Several years ago I was visiting a friend of mine’s church when I noticed signs posted on almost every surface in the church proclaiming that congregation’s “theme” for the year. “Christ Church – It’s all about relationships!” the signs said. I confess that my initial response to this theme was less than positive at the […]

…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!

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.

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 […]

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.

…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 […]

…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 […]

If you are reading this through the methoblog.com feed, you will want to visit the site, and the site has moved to version 3.0 and you will need to update your rss feeds. Folks subscribed via feedburner are okay, but if you have a direct subscription to methoblog.com you probably need to make some changes. […]