We talked about the Transfiguration on Sunday. In the event of the Transfiguration, Peter, acting rashly – as Peter always does – wanted to erect three tabernacles to enshrine Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Peter wanted to lock it down, make this the pilgrimage spot, forget about the command to follow to Jerusalem and the cross. Peter wanted to construct an …
One Spirit, One Body
I am a Baptist, but I went to a Methodist seminary, so I have many professors and colleagues, people I count as friends, in the thick of things this week. Church in the Cliff is an affirming congregation; we definitely have feelings about the relationship between the Church and queer folx. So, while I’m not in the thick of things, …
Not the Same As It Ever Was
I’ve used the phrase “history of interpretation” in church a few times recently. Briefly, it means that the ways that we interpret things, such as texts and traditions, are influenced by the ways that they have been interpreted before. In turn, each of those previous interpretations were influenced by what came before them. This is not just a nerdy, academic …
Seriously
One criticism progressive Christians often receive is that we “don’t take the Bible seriously.” Even as a young Southern Baptist, I would often hear this cited as the problem with mainline churches, like the Methodists. However, it seems that me and my critics have a different understanding of what it would mean to take the Bible seriously. Often, in conversations …
So Meta
So I’m working on the book (it’s going terribly; thanks for asking!) and I had an outline that I felt pretty good about. The conceit of the book was to try to find a few things that progressive Christians might say in common that would provide a path forward for those who are just beginning to deconstruct. I decided not …
Welcome to the Queer Church!
This past Saturday, we were blessed with the opportunity to ordain Lindsey Mosher Trozzo into the ministry of the Good News. One of our congregation, Courtney Cox Wakefield, was asked to read our usual welcome and say a few words about what it means to her and what Lindsey’s ordination meant to her. It is a beautiful summary of what …
To Joy or Not to Joy
Sometimes, doing exactly what we want is the path to destruction. But sometimes it’s the path to joy. I don’t feel like writing a blog post today, so I will be brief. I’m much more joyful this holiday season than I have been for a while. I’m not really sure why, but that’s how I feel. Other people are not …
Inner Peace in 3 Easy Steps
The Christian faith, as I see it, is two parallel journeys. One is an inward journey to nurture the spark of the divine within us. The second is an outward journey towards the incarnation of God in the world. These can be viewed through infinite lenses, depending on what aspect of the infinite Divine we’re talking about. This week, as …
Fear and Hope
I’ve been struggling to write again this week. Sunday’s conversation did not go as I expected and I’ve been trying to wrap my arms around why and how I can “fix” it, if that’s even a thing. Don’t get me wrong, it was a good conversation; it was honest and rich and personal. But there was a lot of anxiety. …
The End is Here, Let’s Begin Again
Whether celebrated as Stir-Up Sunday, as we did, or Christ the King Sunday, this past Sunday is supposed to be the Day of Judgment. Whether we think that is good or bad depends on how we think we will be judged. Back to that later. It is also the last Sunday before Advent. Christ returns to sin in judgment of …