February is black history month, and though some celebrities apparently think it’s an unnecessary period of national focus (why do we as a society privilege the opinions of celebrities?), I think we as a church have made some good attempts to...
Read moreRacial Identity, Conflict, and “The Human Issue”
January 25-27, I will be out of the office enjoying the retreat center in Hot Springs, Arkansas where the Lilly Endowment provides lodging and meals for the Hendrix Institute for Clergy Civic Engagement. This is the second time I will meet with...
Read moreA Parable for a New Year
Once there was a couple who built a house. This couple planned to have a large family, and so they worked hard to build a house that would be able to fit all their children. They were a favorite among their neighbors, who were so drawn to the...
Read moreThe Latest Massacre and What Prayer CAN Do
In the hours following yet another ghastly mass shooting in our nation this time in San Bernardino, a particular headline by the New York Daily News got a lot of traction in the media and in social media: “God Isn’t Fixing This.” The headline was...
Read moreOne Solitary Life
When I lived in Morris, we had a carillon hooked up to a CD player in the fellowship hall. It would broadcast the sound of handbells playing familiar hymns at noon and at 5pm. I used to joke with the trustees that I hoped the town would enjoy...
Read moreImportance
On Wednesday, I wrapped up a month of frequent travel. It is exciting to travel a lot from here to there, and something about being in an airport makes you feel important. “I’m going somewhere” is written on your face. I...
Read moreConsidering the Potential of a University Church
I have enjoyed this past week in Nashville learning from colleagues serving University Churches as diverse as a large established church on LSU campus and a small church in a large building with a large endowment trying to make connections with a...
Read moreA Kingdom Focused Church
This past week I attended the Bishop’s Retreat, which is a day of continuing education attended by all the pastors in the Oklahoma Conference. The Bishop brought in Reggie McNeal, a church strategist and author of many books including Kingdom...
Read moreWriting Again, and some new lyrics for a troublesome hymn
There must be something about the Turner turnpike to elicit prayer. Perhaps it’s the undulations in the ground and the up and down journey that reflects life and it’s moments of exaltation and desolation. Perhaps it’s the sky un-tinted by...
Read moreMinistry on Campus
I’m writing this in the midst of what I think of as our 3rd “High Holy Week,” of each year at University United Methodist Church, when the energy on campus begins to swell, and it feels like new life is abundant. It’s a very busy week, marked...
Read moreCommendable Stewardship at Midyear.
Good news–but good news you didn’t hear if you didn’t receive a giving statement. So, I wanted to use the Pastor’s Perspective space this week to let you hear from Finance Chair Carol Ghere and myself regarding our midyear...
Read moreEverything is Spiritual
If you’re a fan of Rob Bell, you will note that this and the last titles I’ve used for my pastor’s perspectives are titles of his books. While last time that was somewhat accidental, since the “Love Wins” phrase...
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