This fall a new hymnal is being published by the PC(USA) called Glory to God. A committee has been working on it for years. I’ve sung out of the sampler. I’ve checked out the song list. I’ve read the website and background. I grew up singing out of the blue Presbyterian Hymnal. When I walk [...]
Below is the sermon I preached earlier this month at the CPM meeting where I was certified ready to receive a call. I got great feedback, and if I preach this again I will tweak some things. For now, I have kept it as I preached it. Will you pray with me? Holy Spirit, come [...]
Many Mainline preachers follow the Revised Common Lectionary, a 3-year rotation through the Bible including 4 readings a Sunday (Hebrew Bible, Psalm, Epistle, Gospel usually). But when someone tells me I can preach on whatever I want to, I usually go to the Lectionary and preach the text for that week anyway. Basically, I don’t [...]
On Saturday the Spirit moved in what to many people is a strange way–over the internet. After PC(USA)’s General Assembly last week many people felt disheartened and frustrated. There were three big issues although two of them feel very connected, and you can find full information about them in other places. For a quick summary [...]
Last week at PC(USA)’s General Assembly I was on a panel about social media and the church. I listed five tips or themes that were emphasized in this post and promised to write a little more about each of them. So, tip #1: Be yourself; be authentic. Social media amplifies our Spider Senses. I am [...]
Yesterday I had the opportunity to participate in a social media discussion at the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s General Assembly that is meeting this week. Myself, Jordan Whitt with PC(USA) Special Offerings, Ryan Kemp-Pappan, and Andy James were on the panel. The big thing I would like to emphasis that was talked about yesterday is that [...]
Recently I have been reading through a Psalm each morning, and I find myself repeating a phrase throughout the day. Yesterday the phrase was from Psalm 28 “do not refuse me,” and it sparked the writing of this new hymn. This hymn is dedicated to the Presbyterian Church’s 220th General Assembly which is meeting this [...]
As many of you know the Presbyterian Church (USA) is meeting in our General Assembly starting today, so I offer this prayer for all the people involved and the decisions they will be making. FYI: used some inspiration from the Prayer of St. Augustine. A Prayer for PC(USA) General Assembly 220 Living God, Pour out [...]
I am in the second full week at my summer internship. My co-intern and I were together all last week for orientation and whatnot, but this week we split up to go to different churches. It’s really hard to go into a church for only a week or two. Churches are complicated. (Understatement of the [...]
Hey, I’m at Unconference 2012 East (or, Unco12 East). I’ve been blogging on their blog. Take a look! More reflections to come! Day 1 article Day 2 article