Reflections of an Undeconstructed Pentecostal
Since I was first called into ministry I have been an ecumenist. I believe that the church of Jesus Christ is one body. I am also a realist, one who prefers to see things as they are. Therefore, I acknowledge that even as the church is one in Christ we have utterly failed to demonstrate that essential unity.
Continue reading “An Ecumenism of Tears”
Several years ago, my wife and I were seated at the table drinking coffee. The phone rang. The caller was Elaine, one of our senior adult women. Her voice was trembling. She said, “Pastor, Gidget is dead.” I didn’t know who she was speaking about, so I asked, “Who died?”
Continue reading “The Strangest Funeral over which I’ve ever Presided”
I resist the temptation to paint with a wide brush. I shudder when I hear a white person suggest that all black men are gangsters; or when I hear a black person suggest that all Republicans are racist. Nor do I embrace the typical conservative line “Support our Police;” just as I resist the insistence of leftist political activists that all police officers are corrupt. I have been suspicious of the Black Live Matters movement, because I really do believe All Lives Matter. However . . .
Continue reading “Black Lives Matter”
I often read and hear that small churches are not relevant to the mission of God and that they should be closed down. Well, let me tell you about the evening I went to close a church.
Continue reading “The Night I went to Close a Church”
We live in a rapidly changing society that has determined to reject the invitation to repent and inherit the kingdom of God. The issue before us is how do we continue to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ in a hostile environment?
Continue reading “Calling down Fire?”
Early this past Sunday morning I heard the news of the Orlando massacre at a gay nightclub. My first thought was, “O God please, not some misguided Christian fundamentalist fanatic!” I still remember that before 9-11, there was Oklahoma City and the perpetrator was Timothy McVea.
Continue reading “Reflections on the Orlando Massacre”
This is an excerpt from my forthcoming book, THE BLESSED LIFE.
Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother? . . . What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground” (Genesis 4:9-10).
Continue reading “The Blood of Abel cries Out”
