e-Soundings

Look for the Lonely this Christmas …will they be welcomed?

It’s easy to miss the lonely and the isolated, even in a crowd.  Are you and your congregation prepared to make friends with the lonely? Or are you distracted by all the busy-ness of the season? Read more →

Why is there Evil?

First, I see a difference between “Human” caused Evil and natural events (i.e. Flood, Earthquake, Tsunamis, Disease, Drought, etc.). The pain and suffering of these natural events are obviously devastating and cause great harm but in their creation we now know through science that they are not intentionally aimed to cause harm. Read more →

“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 →

What’s your “Follow up” for after Christmas?

With a little preparation, the covenant community of Christ, the church, can offer a safe and healing place, a place to start over again and incorporate important changes in our lives. It can a place where life can move closer to God’s dream for all of us if we can help it be that way. 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 →

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 →

When did Godly love = Physical love?

“Blurred Lines” would make a great theme song for the 2019 Special UMC General Conference in February. What we about to witness is a full throated, post-modern deconstruction of our United Methodist association. We are asked to choose between cutting... Read more →

“Like a thief in the night…” FIRE! DANGER! TERRORISM! DEATH!

FIRE! SMOKE! DANGER! WAR! TERRORISM! DEATH! OUR HEARTS ARE WITH CARMEN LANE AND HER FAMILY…. It’s one of our most terrifying nightmares. You awake from a deep sleep to the smell of smoke. You know something is not right and... Read more →

Homelessness & Lancaster United Methodist Church

HOMELESSNESS: "The article also continues beyond the numbers and talks about the long and patient process that needs to be in place to help individuals and families find their way back into a steady job and with secure housing. Churches and other non-profit organizations provide an crucial link in that process." Read more →

Hints to Power Up Your New Year's Resolutions

All too often we commit the classic mistake of thinking we can do this alone. Of course, that makes it easier to ignore our failures. But in so doing we lose the great power that comes from our community of caring friends. To really succeed in our changes we need a “higher power” and a small group of people around us to hold us accountable to our commitments. Read more →