The Star of the Show
I am a regular viewer of the AppleTV show Ted Lasso. Like many others, I found this gem of television during the pandemic. Its authentic way of holding story through all its characters is a remarkable feat of writing and…
Blog
Latest news featuring thoughts on specific topics, the church world and its current climate, personal spiritual journey, and more.
The Abundance Dilemma
During my college and seminary days as a young twenty-something, I gave little thought to abundance or wealth. I went to school, both undergraduate and graduate, completely financed by my thrifty and frugal parents. Two part-time jobs, one being at…
Expecting the Expected…And Sometimes the Unexpected
Our family just moved to Seattle from California. Like so many others who are moving at this time of year, especially to a place where we lack familiarity, there are always some surprises. Some of these surprises are welcomed and…
The Journey Continues
I recently shared that I would be retiring after 28 years of ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church. My retirement will become effective on April 30, 2022 and will be officially approved at the Annual Conference this June. My…
Gratitude and Ministry
On January 17, 1981 I invited Jesus Christ to come into my life to lead it with love and grace. With me were five schoolmates who shared the story of Jesus with me for the first time. All of us…
On Being With
This Christmas exhortation is written by St. Isaac the Syrian, Bishop of Nineveh, dating from the 6th century. His writing here encapsulates the hope of the Nativity and the actions that flow from it. St. Isaac invites us to confront more than…
Wondering About Nativity
Christmas always seems to bring the church into a strange intersection with culture. The Euro-centric celebration of Christmas affirms gift-giving, family gatherings, and general warm feelings. These feelings might be epitomized in holiday decorations, favorite indulgent foods, or the simple…
Strange Things Are Afoot
These days of preparation before Christmas are filled with a sense of wonder and awe. The church has its practice of preparation and so does the larger culture around us. These two preparations could hardly be less alike. Perhaps this…
Light in Our Darkness
Today is Holy Saturday. It is the quiet solemn day between Good Friday, when we commemorate the death of Jesus through crucifixion, and Easter Sunday. Around the world, this day has varied titles for Christians. The Orthodox, who will not…
What Would Happen If…We Appointed Long-Term Pastors with Trained Interim Pastors at the Ready
I read with interest an article highlighted this week in the Harvard Business Review’s “Today’s Tip” on How to Succeed When Your Predecessor Was a Star. The author, Rebecca Zucker, states that new leaders should, “[not] try to take on…