2025 was an interesting year. I don't mean just for me personally, but for the world in general. There was, well, a lot of darkness this year. Wars continued. Genocide went on while the world watched. And the economic global situation got a little weird. OK, it got a lot weird. While I end the … Continue reading On to the next adventure…2026
Have a Merry Christmas!
"Merry Christmas!" "Season's Greetings!" "Happy Holidays!" "Joyeux Noel!" "Frohe Weinachten!" "Feliz Navidad!" Take your pick! All kinds of traditions bring a different nostalgic greeting to mind. I grew up with 'Merry Christmas' and occasionally the German version in different settings. I once worked with a church that prided itself on its German roots, and that … Continue reading Have a Merry Christmas!
Theology beer camp?
Yes, you read that right. If you were following me on social media at all this past week and weekend you saw I travelled to St. Paul, MN, to partake of my first Theology Beer Camp. If you are unfamiliar with this event, it is advertised as a safe place for people of varying journeys … Continue reading Theology beer camp?
So a pastor walks into a comedy club…
That is a lead up to a great joke, I'm sure of it. But over the past year it has been my life! "Laughter is the body vomiting joy." Daniel Simonsen, Norwegian comedian I finally decided to write this post after months of thinking about it! I felt the push after going to 3 very … Continue reading So a pastor walks into a comedy club…
Won’t you be my neighbour
"It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood..." and the song goes on. Most people in North America know the theme song for 'Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood' in their memory files somewhere, even if you grew up north of the border like me. I actually did not have any working knowledge of Mr. Rogers until much later … Continue reading Won’t you be my neighbour
Is the church a prophetic voice?
If you are not familiar with this idea, one of the discussions that comes up often in church circles is the role of the church (institutional term) in the times around us. (AP News) Part of the reason I do not speak to that conversation often is because I do believe the local church, in … Continue reading Is the church a prophetic voice?
Anabaptist 500
The 500th anniversary of the Anabaptist movement?! You don’t look a day over 200... We are living into a complicated history on a few fronts. Just yesterday the inauguration for the new commander-in-chief for the United States happened. It is the first time a convicted felon has been able to take the office of the … Continue reading Anabaptist 500
The Very Good Gospel
You might remember a while back I asked you this simple question: What is your good news? You can reread that post now with its focus being on the plural 'you' of church. The Very Good Gospel here represents my recent reading of Lisa Sharon Harper's awesome book by that title. If you have the … Continue reading The Very Good Gospel
The problem with faith and power
Yes, I watched the opening ceremonies (mostly) for the Paris Olympics. No, I was not outraged. Actually, I was mostly impressed. Then I clicked on my social media to get into the shared experience of the Olympic games...because I love the Olympics. The back story... Even when they seem a little corrupt or the spirit … Continue reading The problem with faith and power
Context is King
Wait, I thought it was culture? Depends on who you talk to... This past week in pop culture might have hit a few Gen X folks hard. A few notable characters of our youth and young adult eras passed away, so there has been a fair share of nostalgia and generational comparisons showing up on … Continue reading Context is King
What is your gospel?
Before reading further you may want to take a glance at an old post I wrote about doing church in the world. It is based in reading Tim Soeren's book, Everywhere You Look. Here's the link to the post: What is the church for? So, let's talk a little more about church as a 3rd … Continue reading What is your gospel?
Pause
My trip of learning and listening is coming closer to its end. The conferences on church in a post-Christian society, a secular age in North America, are completed. Much to digest, many stories to remember, insights to ponder, new signs to observe, and the same Spirit of God fueling it all. As you may have … Continue reading Pause
