If you have ever watched baseball on TV pre covid, when there were crowds in stadiums, you would notice the camera pan over the crowds and inevitably the camera would pan to […]
God’s Constancy: Replacing the Theology of Replacement
When I was asked to preach this first Sunday of Lent, I was surprised to see that yet again the lectionary focuses on the baptism of Jesus. I shouldn’t have been. I […]
Civic Religion in a Divided Nation
When President Obama uses the Bible publicly as a basis for supporting gay marriage, that is fine. But when it is revealed that Amy Coney Barrett is a serious Catholic, she’s treated […]
Reclaiming our Baptism
One of the features of being in foster care for many, especially in the 70s and 80s was there was no contact with the birth family to be had. Depending on family […]
A Defense of Pro Lifers for Biden and Ethics 101
As a liberal Protestant minister in the United Church of Christ, I’m weighing in a discussion that is internal to the evangelical world. As a gay person who has been on the […]
Where is God to be Found?
Psalm 23 like many of the Psalms are written to bring comfort to the listener. And they have performed that role for generations up to this day Psalm 9:9 – “The Lord […]
Sin, Confession, and Salvation, one Liberal’s Take
A moment of confession
As a child I was socially awkward. Terribly so. It’s just a reality I grew up with. Church was a safe place where they had to accept me, and they did. Youth group was also a safe place where I could be myself and not be afraid.
That probably formed my earliest visions of what the church can and should be. A place of safety and acceptance. I still think it’s the task of the church for all of us.
Prophets in Our Time
“Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward” The first question that came to mind when reading this passage is: what is a prophet? And […]
Celebrating America’s Birthday as a Christian
Jeremiah 29: 7, 11 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare […]
Openness to God and God’s World
USA Today reports: Singer and performer Jon Steingard made a dramatic revelation, announcing via Instagram last Wednesday that he “no longer believes in God.” Steingard is the frontman for Hawk Nelson, a […]
In Praise of Doubting Thomas
John 20:21-29 20:21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send 20:24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the […]
Easter in a Pandemic
My Easter memories as a kid involves Easter Sunrise services. We would meet at the park across the VA hospital in Miles City, usually in snow. The pastor had a portable microphone […]
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