This just in from the Covenant Network, reporting on a case that reached the highest commission in my denomination, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission, or GAPJC), involving the ordination of an openly gay woman who, in keeping with our tradition, declared a scruple (conscientious objection) to several parts of the … Continue reading “There is Hope…”
Category: Presbyterian
On Leaving a Congregation…
This week is my last week serving as associate pastor at First Presbyterian Church. The past few weeks have been surreal as I have attempted to remain mentally, emotionally, and spiritually present to this congregation, while at the same time reflecting on my time with and being in conversation with the people of University Presbyterian … Continue reading “On Leaving a Congregation…”
Like-mindedness at What Expense?
I find myself increasingly saddened by this seemingly obsessive focus on “like mindedness” in the Church on what seems to be all sides of most of the debates that have split the Church throughout the ages. In our age we are more aware of different ways of seeing and believing than in any other age … Continue reading “Like-mindedness at What Expense?”
Open Source Church – Part 3
This is the third and final part in a three part response to the Rev. Landon Whitsitt’s new book, Open Source Church: Making Room for the Wisdom of All. You can see my other two posts (much shorter and incomplete) here and here. Some of what I write here may be repetitive, but the following … Continue reading “Open Source Church – Part 3”
2011 UnConference – Practicing the OpenSource Church #unco11
What is the UnConference? I’m gathered with 70+ other people in the church. Many are clergy, some are in other professions, and all are passionate about the reality of the Church’s witness to the Holy among us. We all come from an amazing diversity of places, experiences, and understandings of God. Most of us are … Continue reading “2011 UnConference – Practicing the OpenSource Church #unco11”