The older I get, the more I seem to procrastinate in getting my Charge Conference paperwork together. Case in point -- our Charge Conference is Wednesday and I'm sitting here typing in this pointless post. I think my struggle comes in knowing that the hierarchy of our conference seems pretty ambivalent about the power and … Continue reading It’s Charge Conference Week! →

“What’s your problem?” I’ve been hearing some shout at me on Facebook recently regarding my continuing concerns regarding the Call to Action thrust that is being pushed throughout the United Methodist Church these days. “Look, the church has been in decline for years,” these folks remind me. “If we don’t do something soon there will … Continue reading The Dysfunctions of the Call To Action Process →

It’s been a week or longer since the CNN/Tea Party Republican debate, and frankly there is little I can nor want to say about that event, for the candidates and the conversation seem so far removed from the world that I inhabit that it’s hard to imagine that we are in the same astral plane. … Continue reading Get the churches to do it . . . they’ll do anything! →

It’s been a week or longer since the CNN/Tea Party Republican debate, and frankly there is little I can nor want to say about that event, for the candidates and the conversation seem so far removed from the world that I inhabit that it’s hard to imagine that we are in the same astral plane. … Continue reading Get the churches to do it . . . they’ll do anything! →

Lover of us all, whose perfect love casts out all fear, we gather today remembering how our lives changed ten years ago. Only a day before, all seemed right with the world, and we were filled with anticipation and hope. And then, on the morning of September 11, planes became missiles and the twin towers … Continue reading A Prayer of Remembrance on 911 →

At age 51, it’s time to give up the hope of EVER being cool. Yes, I admit, I have been a coolness wanna be for far longer than I would like to admit. I have sought after the mantle of hipness, wanting to hang with the the cutting edge kids who are pushing the limits … Continue reading I am not cool… →

At age 51, it’s time to give up the hope of EVER being cool. Yes, I admit, I have been a coolness wanna be for far longer than I would like to admit. I have sought after the mantle of hipness, wanting to hang with the the cutting edge kids who are pushing the limits … Continue reading I am not cool… →

I think I may be old enough to be her grandfather, but Sarah Jarocz's talent and songwriting chops are blowing me away these days. I've you haven't heard her yet, you should pick up her latest album. Here's a link to the album on Amazon.

This morning I was surprised to get a bunch of Facebook hits from friends congratulating me for being mentioned in one of Brian McLaren’s latest posts on his site.  I have to confess that I was a bit shocked. I consider Brian a friend, although it isn’t like we hang out very often. We’ve worked … Continue reading Confessions of a Wannabe Emerging Leader →

I didn't get to go, but the kids got to go on Thursday night. I love this cover, so enjoy.

Back in 2009, in a fit of frustration, I sent out a tweet suggesting that I didn't want to perform any more wedding services for people under the age of 25. The resulting conversation led to this post which was eventually picked up in an edited form by the folks at the United Methodist Reporter. … Continue reading The Pastoral Role In Christian Marriage →

...or it may end tomorrow, or the next, or several years from now. While the scriptures may not require the special gnosis of a Harold Camping in regards to determining the time, they are crystal clear that the task of those who follow Jesus is to live as if the world may end in the … Continue reading Yes, the world may end today…. →

I just finished reading Kevin Watson's post on his desire for the Call to Action committee to make recruiting young clergy the first priority for the next quadrennium. I agree with Kevin on many points, for I think in the zeal to improve the process of credentialing from that of the 1992 Book of Discipline, … Continue reading The Young Clergy Question →

Not too long ago, I received the following e-mail asking for a response to the following question: Are the Amish and the Mennonites cults? Do we Methodists believe they are? Here’s my response: Dear friend,    To start off, you need to define what you mean by cult. In one sense, ALL religious movements can … Continue reading Letters to UMC.org–Thinking about Cults →

Not too long ago, I received the following e-mail asking for a response to the following question: Are the Amish and the Mennonites cults? Do we Methodists believe they are? Here’s my response: Dear friend,    To start off, you need to define what you mean by cult. In one sense, ALL religious movements can … Continue reading Letters to UMC.org–Thinking about Cults →

Several years ago, when I was serving as the pastor for several folks at United Methodist Communications, I was pressed into duty as a pastor on call. It seemed that the umc.org website received many e-mail questions during the day. For the most part, these questions were technical in nature, regarding some point of United … Continue reading Conversation with a Young Methodist–A Beginning →