e-Soundings

“It’s Good Christmas Grief 2021, Charlie Brown”

Are you addressing the widespread grief we are all carrying in your messages this season? Are you being open and honest about your own grief? Back when 9/11 happened, one response was full churches. Grief, along with anger, confusion and... Read more →

The Town without Trust (A post-modern parable)

Life was Hell in the town that didn’t trust. Arguments were everywhere, from prices in the drugstore to where one sat in the movie theatre.  Nothing was undisputed. Read more →

Dr. John Cobb says "The liberal church is dying (1)” ....Will you die with it?

In his recent book “Salvation(2)”, Dr. Cobb asks the penetrating question: “What is the (liberal) church doing that you can’t get without going to church (3)” (and he cites his own son as a example of someone who had a... Read more →

The 21st Century "Tsunami": Church survival with an "Ancient/Future" solution... (pt. 2)

Seven things you and your congregation can do after the quarantine. Last week in this Blog, we explored eleven major, profound changes and one foundational societal shift as part of the “Tsunami of Issues” battering us from every side. They were grouped into three areas:  Digital/Tech/Knowledge Revolution, Personal/Family Struggles and Social/Political/Global Issues.                   (Read that Blog here.) Such times of overwhelming crisis have faced us before.  The church in particular, and “religion” in general, have offered a place to stand, some “holy ground” on which to gain a new identity and to be renewed in God’s Holy Spirit. It is from these ancient roots that the “new” solutions to our challenges will arise... Read more →

The 21st Century "Tsunami": Church survival with an "Ancient/Future" solution...

Is your church relevant in the face of such overwhelming issues?  Is there not only comfort in the midst of pain, but hope, healing, reconciliation and wholeness? Are you in touch with these 21st Century concerns?  ...Or are you (and your church) in a “bubble of personal perception” while major issues and concerns that drastically effect people’s lives flood all around you? Read more →

Breaking our Methodist Heart, once again........

What is the most sad and deeply disheartening about this whole impasse / separation action being considered by the United Methodist Church is that we truly need both "sides" as well as the "middle" in order to deeply and profoundly explore the gospel message for our sexualized society today. Read more →

Is your church ready for recovery? ...or is it bed-ridden........?? (pt 3 of 3 on Post-Covid Worship)

Gather your Core group, ...your most faithful leadership... to Study and discuss: (By Zoom or in person) “Can our Church be Re-born After Covid?” A Plan of action for Church Leadership (#3 of 3 articles) Set aside two hours with... Read more →

Have you had the "racism" talk with your kids?

Here's some great ideas for different age groups. Be sure to talk about your faith as well. It's a critical part of making sense of the world and responding with God's unconditional love and graceful forgiveness. A quick, only have... Read more →

Living with Christ in our super-sized "Gutenberg Moment"

We are living in a "Gutenberg Moment"* that dwarfs other such moments by it’s breath-taking power to change life on earth. In the past, such moments end up disrupting everything. Nothing is the same. Everything before is changed. The digital... Read more →

Perhaps we need a "system reset" in the United Methodist Church?

Can we all agree that: 1) God loves everyone deeply and individually where they are. 2) The Holy Spirit challenges us all to become much more than where we started. 3) Everyone in the church - ALL sides in this... Read more →