I regularly encounter people who believe that disagreements in the church are evidence that we should split the denomination, that somehow we are defined by our differences rather than a common faith, a shared baptism, a risen Savior, and a God bigger than our pettiness. Probing deeper reveals that the […]
Two recent conversations (frustrating each in their own way) set me to thinking about the current landscape of Biblical and theological dialogue, debate, argument, and discussion (choose what works best for you). In my opinion, we are spread across a spectrum of four main perspectives: At the left side of […]
I have been reading/thinking quite a bit about creativity and innovation and I am increasingly impressed by the regular occurrence of discontinuity and evolutionary leaps. Few transformative changes happen incrementally. The major shifts occur when leaders bring disparate elements together or when “tradition” and “convention” are set aside to make […]
Every year as I immerse myself in the Christmas story, I feel a deep empathy for Joseph. What a tough spot he found himself in. To be a minor player in such a major story is tough all on its own, but in a patriarchal culture in a primitive and […]
I simply cannot get through the Advent and Christmas season without being transported in mind and spirit back to the days of my childhood Sunday school. My teacher from the time I was four year’s old until I turned seven was a spinster-lady by the name of Hattie Hack. Henrietta […]
Within a day of one another, I received two messages asking for permission to use a Christmas song I wrote 34 years ago! I love the phrasing of the one request: “You came and preached at our church and brought that “gift song” a couple year’s ago. Do you still have that? […]
In my experience, United Methodists tend to be problem solvers in search of the quick fix. All too often, we wait until a challenge reaches crisis proportions, then we seek a simple, easy solution. Frustration sets in and we begin looking around to see if someone else can solve our […]
Clergy and laity leadership across The United Methodist Church — attention. When you receive the November/December Interpreter magazine, read it, study it, share it, preach it, teach it. It focuses on The Advance — the United Methodist commitment to second mile giving projects that truly transform the world. In the […]
I received an email from a long-time colleague finding herself in an all-too-common situation: asked to “grow” a church where the leadership begged her to help bring them into the 21st century, she now finds that this same leadership effectively blocks each and every attempt she makes to lead. Her […]
Two recent conversations (that I eavesdropped) cause me a moment to pause. Both occurred in United Methodist churches, both involving long-time members. Conversation one went something like this: Obamacare is going to kill America. Giving free health care to those who give nothing back is ridiculous. No one is giving […]
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