I am the lead pastor at People's United Methodist Church in the Wisconsin Conference of The United Methodist Church, husband of my beautiful wife, Barbara, dad to my fantastic son, Josh and his wife Caroline, step-dad to my phenomenal son, Greg, his wife Hannah and our fabulous/glorious/perfect granddaughter Evie, author of seventeed books on spirituality, stewardship, congregational development, research, and spiritual gifts discovery, and an advocate for a more loving, inclusive church for the 21st century and beyond.
Deja vu, all over again. Informally polling people on their feelings about launching into week 2 of General Conference, I am encountering a great deal of ambivalence, frustration, and a “here we go again” vibe. Expectations are very low, fear and anxiety very high, and a wariness that we may […]
Say What, Now? (Based on Romans 12:1-21, NRSV) a dialogue sermon delivered May 15, 2016, Aloha United Methodist Church by Barbara and Dan Dick Barbara: I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to […]
A nice thing happened as we were leaving legislative committee last night. Two African men stopped me to thank me for “not treating us like we are mentally defective.” I asked what they meant, and they told me that many people have treated them in patronizing and demeaning ways. I […]
People are perceiving very different lived realities at General Conference. I am writing what I experience and observe, but I admit freely it is only my opinion. Many people are leaving feedback directly on the blog, but I am also receiving emails, tweets, texts, and face-to-face feedback — mostly disagreeing […]
Jesus died young by today’s standards, in his early thirties. I wonder what our church would look like today if mandatory retirement age was 33? What if our thirty-year-olds ran the church? Too often, we act like they lack experience and knowledge, wisdom and leadership skills. In short, we would […]
It is amazing to watch various individuals and coalitions try to manipulate our processes, especially when things go against their opinion or will. I am not singling anyone out — many people engage in this conniving behavior for a wide variety of reasons, and I am confident that all of […]
Just a reflection on how things are going at GC. So far, most of our time and energy has gone to process and technology. Our plenary and legislative processes keep bogging down in a poor application of a Robert’s Rules of Order-like amalgam of bits, pieces and fragments of a […]
I maintain there is a flaw in our system. General Conference is trying to dictate human worth and dignity through legislative action. We are voting on who deserves and who does not. We are Robert’s Ruling the value of a human life and the love of God. Shame on us. […]
A commitment to look for the good. A time to focus on the positive. I don’t want to give a completely one-sided view of my General Conference experience. There is much grace and goodness here. I want to share some stories that I find very hopeful and inspirational. A woman […]
Do United Methodists listen to the words they sing in worship? We have some incredible hymns, sacred songs, praise songs, and spirituals. They paint a picture of true paradise. Songs of love, songs of hope, songs of kindness and mercy. Hymns of adoration and praise. Hymns of reconciliation and unity. […]
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