Gay Lutheran pastor's trial to start
Pastor Bradley Schmeling was completely honest from the outset about his sexual orientation when St. John's Lutheran Church in Atlanta called him as their pastor in 2000. The Evangelical Lutheran...
View ArticleRacism and a Teachable Moment
It was just another rainy Saturday here in Tennessee when I opened my email. There was a note from a former student - actually about a fifth generation forwarding of one of those awful e-screeds. This...
View ArticleThe Divine Role Within Personal Expression and Social Reform
What follows is something that has been weighing on me heavily this morning. Discussing the act of vocal ministry, a Friend noted that, while in the act of sharing a message, we aren't just God's...
View ArticleBless the Maybelles
Many of my parishioners are quite elderly. And while they span the gamut of health and activity, most of them are quite mentally sharp and not the least bit shy about sharing their opinion with...
View ArticleSilencing the prophets?
Once a quadrenniam, the United Methodist Church from throughout the world sends delegates to General Conference. There, 3,500 Methodists gather to pray about, discuss, and vote on potential changes to...
View ArticleHistoric Day at a Baptist Church
Memorial Day Sunday 2012 was a historic day at our church, Highland Baptist of Louisville. Why? We ordained someone to the ministry. "So what?" you say. "Churches do that all the time." True, they do....
View ArticleReflections on a Sunday in Lent
Each of us is on our own spiritual journey, despite the promptings of the institutional Church; responsible for our own seeking a way down the path, with our own compass, We are always seeking new ways...
View ArticleBreathe
It is inevitable. It is good natured. Every time I inform my Staff Parish Committee about my vacation plans, someone will joke:“Why do pastor needs vacation? They only work two hours on Sunday.” Haw...
View ArticlePetition to reduce a life sentence for stealing. This is a death sentence,...
My son, Jeremy Stewart was wrong and deserves to do time but life for stealing is wrong! Taxpayers price tag is over Six Million Dollars to incarcerate Jeremy for life. California state law...
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Glad I Don't Have to Visit YOUR House on Thanksgiving...
My two favorite things in life (besides mr. luna and our furbabies) are pumpkin pie and rock-n-roll. Not that these two concepts originally went together, but they do now. One can always have pie with...
View ArticleMissouri Begins Trial Of Ministers Who Protested For Medicaid. "We Will Keep...
It’s been more than 2 years since Missouri’s clergy gathered in the senate chamber and demanded a vote on Medicaid expansion. The coverage that day quickly went viral. Unfortunately in the transition...
View ArticleAmerican Symbols of Bad Faith: Catholic Contras and Trump's Inauguration
The presidential inauguration is right around the corner. Arguably, January 20th, 2017 will be one of the worst days in presidential history for a majority of Americans–––certainly for those Americans...
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Ministry’s Psalm 69 encapsulated early 90s political angst
“Sixty-nine, 69, 69”For those of you that bought Ministry’s 1992 album ΚΕΦΑΛΗΞΘ, or better known as Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs, you probably recognized that instantly.For the...
View ArticleFishers of Men, It Is Time to Stop Cutting Bait
A stained-glass window at Kilmore Quay in Ireland depicts the first call to Peter (Simon) and Andrew to stop casting their nets into the Sea of Galilee and instead turn over their lives as followers...
View ArticleMorning Open Thread: All Day
Morning Open Thread is a daily, copyrighted post from a host of editors and guest writers. We support our community, invite and share ideas, and encourage thoughtful, respectful dialogue in an open...
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