As I was driving to the hospital this morning I noticd a grinding noise every time I applied the brakes in the mini-van. I have known for some time that the breaks are in need of checking, but I have chosen my normal practice of avoidance, preferring to imagine that if I just ignore the … Continue reading Reflections From Mickey D’s →

As I was driving to the hospital this morning I noticd a grinding noise every time I applied the brakes in the mini-van. I have known for some time that the breaks are in need of checking, but I have chosen my normal practice of avoidance, preferring to imagine that if I just ignore the … Continue reading Reflections From Mickey D’s →

As many of you know, my tribe of United Methodism has been embroiled in the latest battle over homosexuality focused in the trial of the Karen Dammann. The Rev. Dammann had self identified herself as a lesbian to her Bishop, and was therefore charged with engaging in practices incompatible with Christian teaching. This past Saturday, … Continue reading What Happens Next? →

Well, we survived the slumber party, but just barely. Two girls in particular seemed determined to pick fights with each other throughout most of the night. We made it through the event with only four girls crying (one of them being our own) which is not too bad given the age of the girls. I … Continue reading Survival →

Squeel . . .stomp. stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp . . . "Run away!" . . . "Mom, they're fighting again" . . . Squeel!!!

Squeel . . .stomp. stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp . . . "Run away!" . . . "Mom, they're fighting again" . . . Squeel!!!

As of this morning, we had only had four RSVP's for Grace's party. Since it's Spring Break here in Nashville, we assumed we would have a low turnout. This afternoon the phone has been ringing off the hook. This seems to be the social event of the year! We're up to a full complement of … Continue reading More girls (and not in the Andrew Jones sense)! →

Grace turns 9 tomorrow and we're having 6 third graders over tonight for a slumber party. I'm getting the ear plugs ready and trying to rest up for the excitement ahead. How is it possible that Grace is already half way to being grown up? Of course, that is partially dependent on when you define … Continue reading Turning Nine →

I went to Noshville this morning for breakfast with the guys I meet with weekly only to find myself in the midst of a St. Patrick's Day festival. The restaurant was running a special on green eggs and ham (but I do not like them Sam I Am) and a local radio station was broadcasting. … Continue reading Happy St. Paddy’s Day! →

I went to Noshville this morning for breakfast with the guys I meet with weekly only to find myself in the midst of a St. Patrick's Day festival. The restaurant was running a special on green eggs and ham (but I do not like them Sam I Am) and a local radio station was broadcasting. … Continue reading Happy St. Paddy’s Day! →

My name is Jay. I am a racist. Oh, I'm trying to be in recovery. I'm trying to cast aside my upbringing and heritage and cast aside judgement by skin color. I'm trying to address systemic racism both in and outside the church. I have good friends, who I love and respect, that are folks … Continue reading Confronting My Racism →

One of the strange things about this blog is that it has a fairly varied audience. Some of you are members of my church, trying to make sense of these ramblings. Others are friends I've met through the internet and at conferences associate with this thing that we call Emergent. The former group is a … Continue reading A Word of Grace for Women Preachers →

I got this in the e-mail via Dave McIntyre today. I've seen it before, but it still makes me laugh... On the Difference Between Praise Choruses and Hymns A man accustomed to a mainline church went to a seekers' service one Sunday. He came home and his wife asked him how it was. "Well," he … Continue reading Yes it’s old, but I still laugh →

I got this in the e-mail via Dave McIntyre today. I've seen it before, but it still makes me laugh... On the Difference Between Praise Choruses and Hymns A man accustomed to a mainline church went to a seekers' service one Sunday. He came home and his wife asked him how it was. "Well," he … Continue reading Yes it’s old, but I still laugh →

I just checked the results for Hugo Schwyzer at the Catalina Marathon and he came in 121st over all, and 13th in his age group. Way to go Hugo! I'll live vicariously through your efforts. 🙂

I've just posted a reflection question at the multicultural church site (www.vividchurch.com). I would appreciate your checking out this site and posting as you feel led.

Finker offers a some great comments in my previous post. He raises in particular the ambiguity around membership responsibilities and privileges. I grew up in the 1960's, a disciple of a decentralized notion of power and authority. As a good United Methodist pastor, I practice an open table, welcoming all to participate in the sacraments. … Continue reading More on Membership →

One of the mantras of both the church growth movement and the emerging church movement is that the old notion of membership is dead. Folks are interested in joining the church, these folks tell us. It seems like an outdated notion to be a "member" of a congregation. And so "growing churches" like Church of … Continue reading Church Membership in the Postmodern World →

I met this morning with the group of guys that I gather with weekly for breakfast at Noshville. It's an eclectic group -- another pastor, a sex educator, a health care attorney, and a writer. I've been meeting with this group for some three years now, and it's a safe space where we can talk … Continue reading Political Change →

I'm not going to San Diego for the Emergent Convention there. I felt like I couldn't justify the trip, and I needed instead to focus on the one here at home in Nashville in May. But I just checked the weather in San Diego -- sunny and in the 70's all week. It figures. When … Continue reading Wishing I Was There →