At Northwood, we’re continuing our study of the Creeds. Last week we finished week 2, “The Apostles’ Creed.” We talked about how the creed has a long history and wasn’t written in one “working session” like the Nicene Creed was. After learning a little bit about the creed and its history, we used it as […]
Sermon Remix: The Apostles’ Creed Read More »
One of the things that pastors have to do (which I’m sure is not unique to a ministry job) is organize a whole lot of different things at the same time… sermon materials, lots and lots of meetings, little tasks, big tasks, on it goes. Everyone has their own system, but here are some tools
This week my friend, colleague, and mentor Rev. Kelly Allen pointed me to a New York Times opinion piece about leadership. The piece is worth reading in its entirety (link at the end) but I found this portion to be particularly compelling: “close off your options. People in public life live in a beckoning world. They
Masters of Renunciation Read More »
I’ve been thinking a lot about creativity recently as my book inches (and simultaneously sprints) toward the finish line. The whole process of coming up with ideas, letting them take root in my mind, writing them down, spiffing them up and sending them out into the world (with a team of people) has been hard
6 thoughts on plagiarism, creative expression, and sermon writing Read More »
As you may know, I’m a Presbyterian pastor. Every other year Presbyterians get together at a huge homecoming called the General Assembly where we vote on important issues, get together with one another socially and have a big ole Presbyterian Part-ay! (Except, well, maybe it’s not just a party, maybe it’s a serious, serious gathering
When a Dog in a Pink Sweater isn’t Just a Dog in a Pink Sweater… #GaDog Read More »
I just got an ad in my inbox from a large Christian Book Distributor/Publisher. The headline? “Beautiful Christian Silks Make Meaningful Gifts.” The inside of the email assures me that the scarves are based on some of the world’s best “Christian Art” and that the scarves would be great gifts for my (and I
On Christian Art, Music, and Plumbing Services… Read More »
Last week the Wall Street Journal ran an article about a United Methodist congregation that was getting in trouble for offering online communion. The church is an entirely online church, the services stream online, there is a web-based Bible Study, and there is a full time pastor in charge of putting it and keeping it
