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 [...]
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 [...]
Did you ever sing that song? “I am the church! You are the church! We are the church together! All who follow Jesus all around the world, yes, we’re the church together!” I learned that song while working with a children’s ministry at a Disciples of Christ church in Missouri. It was one of the [...]
It’s time to stop blaming young adults. It’s time to stop blaming young adults for “leaving” the church. It’s time to stop blaming young adults for the declining membership of churches. It’s time to stop blaming young adults for being too disinterested, too busy with other things, too caught up in social media. The church [...]
I just had an article published on Unbound called “Numbering My Worries” as part of their Inside Agitators: Seminarians for Justice issue. First and foremost, I am honored to be included in this issue along with several others from my seminary and other seminaries and divinity schools. I am struck by how attentive each person is to [...]
After reading “How to Speak Presbyterian” by P.J. Southam I was inspired to write my own handy-handy word and phrase dictionary but based on the dialect of Young Adult Presbyterian. So I sent out the call on Facebook and Twitter for what people would want defined. This list is incomplete, and I welcome your feedback [...]
This poem/prayer was written trying to see from the point of view of a disciple of Jesus who was not in the 12 and who was watching the events of Maundy Thursday unfold. Mourning Thursday the prayer of uncertain disciple I expected more. I expected more from a spiritual leader. The parade, the palms, the [...]
For Palm Sunday the congregation at the tiny church I work at will be singing “Hosanna, Heysanna” from Jesus Christ Superstar as our opening hymn. The choir was practicing the song last Sunday, and the question was brought up whether the individual voices in the songs would be sung by soloists or groups or everybody. [...]
It has become painfully obvious to me the past few weeks at seminary that many Christians do not understand geeks or geek culture. For some reason it seems acceptable to make fun of geeks, but I’m here to tell you that things the church desperately needs to learn how to do geek communities are already [...]
A Prayer for Reading Week* God of liberation, Thank you for reading week. Grant us rest and maybe even some fun. Watch over us as we catch up or try to get ahead. Let us always in word, deed, and all our lives do everything remembering that we are greatly loved. Amen. *Reading Week happens [...]