Reflections from Jay Voorhees
My friend Wes Magruder, pastor of the Kessler Park UMC in Dallas, shared some thoughts this week about how progressive United Methodist congregations might move forward in relation to the "Way Forward" decisions in the UMC. His thoughts were generally positive and worthy of thinking about, but one phrase in the post jumped out at … Continue reading The Case for Connectionalism
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 … Continue reading And now for a quick announcement….
About a year and a half ago, a new member to our church community came with a request. He shared that he and his wife were recovering alcoholics, and that they were dedicated adherents to the AA 12 Step Movement, attending meetings almost every night. He noted that there were no meetings in our immediate … Continue reading The 12 Steps of Congregational Change — Setting the Stage
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 … Continue reading Going Deep
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 … Continue reading A Word to the Media: We Just Don’t Care!
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 … Continue reading A Word to the Media: We Just Don’t Care!
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 … Continue reading It’s All About Relationships
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 … Continue reading It’s All About Relationships
...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 … Continue reading Yesterday
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
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 … Continue reading 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…
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. … Continue reading CHANGES AT THE METHOBLOG
We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams… --Willie Wonka For many years I was aware of the phrase above from one of my favorite movies of all time – Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. What I didn’t realize, however, was that this line wasn’t original to Willie, but in … Continue reading We Are the Music Makers
This past Thursday I had the privilege of attending a special gather of the General and Jurisdictional Conference Delegations of the Tennessee and Memphis Annual Conferences in which they received presentations from a variety of agencies and individuals on pending legislation coming to Annual Conference. As a part of that event, I was able to … Continue reading Practices Versus Values of Church Vitality
Only Wonder Understands 