Opinion: Getting out of our own way October 14, 2010
Turning around the sagging fortunes of mainline Protestant churches isn't rocket science. It isn't like finding a cure for breast cancer, or undoing the damage done by greed and politicians.
Opinion: Turn out the lights October 11, 2010
Turning out the light may seem backwards, unnerving, and downright scary. Yet, when we look in the Bible isn't that how all great stories of faith started out?
Opinion: The real story behind the Quran-burning story September 9, 2010
A number of American lives likely have been saved overseas as a result of the cancellation of the Florida minister's plans to burn copies of the Quran on 9/11.
Opinion: Preserving or persevering September 6, 2010
A couple weeks ago, while on vacation, I went to worship at the church of my youth. It's an important place for me. Much of my faith was formed and nurtured there, and two significant events in my life, confirmation and ordination, took place there.
Opinion: God is good August 30, 2010
I write this column on a plane en route to Lebanon and Syria for a long-planned visit with our historic mission partners and to see the work we support with Iraqi refugees in those two countries.
Opinion: Facebook or Forgivebook? August 23, 2010
"You have one new friend request." The ubiquitous notification from Facebook is something that regularly arrives in my email box. I usually don't look at them too closely but the name on this one took me by surprise. Not just because I had not heard from this person in awhile, but because this is a person who, in the past, had hurt me deeply – and now she wanted to be Facebook "friends."
Opinion: Shouldn't the church be different? August 18, 2010
I have heard and uttered that question often throughout my ministry. I think I first thought about it when I got my first low grade from a seminary professor. I was hoping for more compassion.
Anne Rice asks us, ‘What does it mean to be Christian anyway?’ August 2, 2010
When a public figure makes a public statement on a controversial topic, it invites — even encourages — a public conversation. Such was the case last week when famed novelist and seemingly-former Roman Catholic Anne Rice renounced her ties to the entire Christian church because, according to Rice, she could no longer tolerate the church’s anti-gay, anti-feminist, anti-science, and anti-birth control views.
Opinion: The UCC has a future July 20, 2010
When I was asked to write this little piece, the editor explained that I could say whatever I wanted. So in this article I want to offer some thoughts for conversation.
Opinion: An inconvenient truth June 21, 2010
Two weeks ago I lost my job. (What a way to start out this article, right?!)
