Good News
I have been wanting to write something to reflect on the upcoming General Conference, but for a long time, I simply could not (a rare state for me as a biblical scholar, teacher, and minister). I have been too consumed with anger and hurt as I have contemplated how much people who call themselves friends would be willing to hurt LGBTQ persons, such as myself, for the sake of so-called “church unity.”
I realized that the issue is not degree of potential harm. I, and my queer kin, have already been hurt…
Read More
Lip Service
It’s too late for me. And it might be too late for many others. But it’s not too late for the young queer people growing up across the globe who need to hear “God loves you, no matter what!”
Read More
Love-as-Justice
a hard and honest truth: the only things I know for sure about the upcoming General Conference, the only personal plan I have, my mantra, and prayer, and offering: It hurts. I will have snacks to share. Stay tender.
a hard and honest truth: tenderness, dear ones, is so very hard when our lives and loves and livelihoods are under attack, on the line, up for debate, up for vote…
Read More
Not With Interest of Debate...
Not with interest of debate, not even with interest to persuade, but simply to share my own perspective because it’s been asked:
Why I support the Simple Plan and do not support the One Church Plan for the February 23-26 global gathering to discuss and vote on the UMC’s proclamation on queer lives and loves…
Read More
Reclaiming Our Methodist Roots with The Simple Plan
One of the reasons I fell in love with Methodism is the radically different way in which the movement was founded and rose to prominence. I know many of you feel the same way. It's no secret that we've strayed far from the path. I see The Simple Plan, not a radical move in a new direction, but rather a radical move back towards our roots.
Read More
On Keeping Covenants and Loving Children
… My beloved son is certainly a child of God, a disciple of Jesus Christ, truly gifted, and he is gay. He doesn’t trust the church. While our bishop today is very gracious, there is no telling what the theology of our next bishop will be. While his mother’s church is very welcoming, not all churches in the denomination are, and there are no guarantees that he will be welcome. Our denomination’s churches are like a minefield: we never know if our next step into a sanctuary will reward us with safety or if we will be irreparably damaged…
Read More
They Would Destroy the Rest of the Institution...
The premise of the document is that the church is too divided theologically to be viable; we have two wholly different views on everything from the authority of Scripture to the understanding of social holiness. It can’t be held together.
Given that analysis, what this memo really reveals…
Read More
Long Overdue…
Above the fireplace mantel, a fancy plaque reports the room was appointed and dedicated in memory of the son of founding pastor, Ralph W. Sockman, who died at the age of 21 in 1940. Sockman was a famous and highly respected elder of our church in his day, having served as NBC Radio’s featured preacher for more than 30 years. He was the charismatic personality responsible for assembling the people and resources to build Methodism’s cathedral on Park Avenue in New York City.
I didn’t give much thought to the dedication until about 10 years ago when an old friend asked me if I knew the story of William Sockman’s death….
Read More
Loving & Serving... A Missiological Way Forward!
The heart of a biblically-centered missiology for the church that best reflects the heart and character of God is at its very foundation a relational one. God’s own missiology, which is God’s desire for all of creation, is based in who God is, in God’s very character, and we see what this is in the very beginning of the biblical story. In Genesis 1:26, in the midst of God’s creative process, God says, “let us make humankind in our image.”
Read More
My Conscience Won’t Allow Me…
It was 1972; The United Methodist Church was four years old and I was five. That year, the General Conference meeting in Atlanta, GA added the words ‘homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching’ to the United Methodist Book of Discipline. For most of my life, and the life of the UMC, this onerous phrase has been pinned to our denomination like a badge of dishonor…
Read More
Simple Plan v. One Church Plan: Are Progressives Splitting the Vote?
May the coming months of creeping Plan dissatisfaction cause delegates to take a second look at this simple way for United Methodism to move forward together to a future with hope.
Read More
Consider These Points...
As I look at the prospect of ordination in my near future, I am unsure as to whether my home conference would ordain me…
Read More
