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Vegetarians & Carnivores
I’ve been vocal on my view about homosexuality and the church. I haven’t been quite as vocal about our treatment of one another on both sides of this issue. Here, I take a biblical approach to criticism and forgiveness…
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Moving to California in 3 Easy Steps
Moving from Nebraska to California included quite a few adventures. And it started before we moved…
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Seeking Hope in the Soap (Opera)
I’ve been thinking a lot about privilege and what it means in a diverse community. I had a chance to explore that recently in a sermon in the new congregation where I’ve been appointed.
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Unlikely Leaders
A few weeks ago, I preached on the story of Mary and Martha in the Gospel of Luke (see Luke 10:38-42)…
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More on the Bible & Homosexuality
I’ve been pretty clear previously on my stance around issues of homosexuality. See one of my earlier posts on the subject here. I continue to be outspoken. And I will not be silent. And I’m not alone. So why do I choose to continue to speak out? A 2009 book by Dr. Jack Rogers (Professor…
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Creating a Church Website
Interested in a method for an inexpensive church website? Read on…
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Bible-Based Sermons
There seem to be two basic ways that preachers organize their sermons. One group is “topical,” taking a topic and using several scripture texts to support it. The other is “textual,” taking one scripture text and exploring how it applies to the world today. Do you prefer one to the other? I do…
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On the “Guaranteed Appointment”
Many United Methodist clergy are feeling some wonder at how a recent decision by General Conference to end the tradition of “guaranteed appointments” for clergy might affect their futures. Some see hope and others don’t. And many see a broken promise.
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Being More Christian: Loving the LGBT Community
I’ve been a member of a church my whole life. My grandfather was a pastor, his brother was a pastor, and there were others before them. And now I’m a pastor. I serve a fairly large church in Grand Island, Nebraska. The good life. On a stick. I’m also a United Methodist. My grandfather &…
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Mainline Hope
In the midst of membership decline among many mainline denominations, there’s hope & possibility.