-
·
Build Systems or Leaders?
Which is more important: the system or the leader? Since arriving at St. Paul’s, which is a pastoral-sized congregation*, I’ve figured out that much of the structure of the church is based on specific leaders doing specific tasks, rather than systems. I’m not sure how to feel about this. *[a pastoral-sized congregation is what many…
-
·
The missing Pentecost post
When my friend, David Henson wondered on Facebook where all the Pentecost posts were, it exposed me. Not that the world rotates around me. It’s just… I haven’t been here. My mind has been elsewhere. I wonder if they all are. All the minds, that is. All the minds are elsewhere when it comes time…
-
·
5 Years Ordained
Today is the fifth anniversary of my ordination as a presbyter. Of course, I’m celebrating appropriately–writing sermons for a funeral on Saturday and for Pentecost on Sunday. Rather than reflect on all that I have been a part of over the last five years, I am instead struck by this picture. It dawned on me…
-
·
Not Free to Think
A short reflection on race, geopolitics, theology, and the role of the church in faith. Growing up in the church, I have long felt both at home in the church and like a resident alien. What some classify as evoking transcendent timelessness, I have often seen as dated and inaccessible. When exploring other ways of…
-
·
For My Son: Changing the Lord’s Prayer
Right off the bat. I have to confess that I am predisposed to the modern Lord’s Prayer. Even better are some of the rewrites I’ve heard in the last year or so. Some really good praying is happening. Tonight, I’m now all in. Here’s why. Praying with my son. I used to argue that we…
-
·
The Problem of Evil (Eating Scripture)
As a preacher, I love the lectionary for its seasons, but hate all of the jumping around! This week’s story comes in between the Baptism (1/13) and the visit to the synagogue (1/20 & 27). Now we jump back to the middle. But that might be able to help us understand what is going on.…
-
·
Walking Out (Eating Scripture)
This week’s Eating Scripture was derailed by my birthday and a funeral. Hopefully your appetite is insatiable! This week, we get the second half of the Jesus preaching in the synagogue story. The first half was all sunshine and butterflies and the second is all violence and horror.There are some incredible pieces to chew on…
-
·
Sitting Down (Eating Scripture)
Throughout Epiphany, we get these tasty hors d’oeuvres of Jesus going about fulfilling His mission. In this week’s reading from Luke, Jesus reads a pointed piece of Scripture, hands it back, and sits down. What do you think this has to do with the Jesus’s mission? A lot. Eating Scripture is a short video series…