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...
Read moreLove Wins
Well, if you’ve read my pastor’s perspectives for the past four years, you no doubt knew what I’d be thinking today–so I’ll (try and fail to) keep it short in order not to be overly superfluous. If you want more...
Read moreWhatever forms they present themselves
It seems as though two social issues I identified in my application to the Hendrix Social Engagement Clergy Fellowship as being especially pertinent to my context and experience have erupted today–one receiving positive acclaim in the...
Read moreWelcome to the Council Oak District
I’ve been lax getting some information to you all through my pastor’s perspective–this isn’t really the “one I’m working on” this week, but it is information you might find interesting regarding our new...
Read moreClergy Institute for Civic Engagement
In the past few months, I heard about a new opportunity being offered through my alma mater, Hendrix College. My dad, who had heard about it from his associate pastor who had applied for the program, thought it sounded like something right up my...
Read moreLord, I Want to Be a Christian (a sentiment becoming rarer)
While you may not have noticed, we pastors have been fretting over a Pew Research study this week—a sequel to survey that pegged numbers of people who self-identify as religious or not. The research shows a dramatic drop in numbers of Christians...
Read moreChristmas Lights, Bubble Lights, Spotlights–My Call Story
In this past week’s issue of the Oklahoma Contact Unit-ed Methodist Newspaper, I noticed an article declaring May a month in which clergy are encouraged to share the stories of their call to ministry. Nothing inspires like hear-ing, and I was...
Read moreRiots and Respect
In 1973, Chris Blackwell, the owner of Island Records, signed Bob Marley and the Wailers. Their first album, Catch a Fire was an instant success, and the follow up later that year Burnin’ went Gold in the United States. One of the songs from that...
Read moreThe Holy Week Triduum
I was impressed with the participation of our church people in some new offerings for the Easter Triduum this past week. When one takes intentional preparation for the message of Easter, I believe the “Christ is Risen” takes root much deeper in...
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