Here's a photo of almost all of the GSUMC staff taken yesterday just before we departed for a Christmas Field Trip.What happens on a Christmas Field Trip for Good Shepherd staff?First, I thank God for the good work the staff has done this year and for the fact...

How did we ever get here?A United Methodist pastor in suburban Philadelphia receives a 30-day suspension for performing a same-gender wedding involving his son and now that the penalty has concluded is challenging the denomination to restore his credentials so he...

The end of any year is typically a time to reflect on advances made and lessons learned in the previous twelve months.The end of 2013 is no exception.And on many occasions when we get something right at Good Shepherd, I find myself asking, "Why didn't we do it that...

Last night, my men's LifeGroup concluded its study on Invitation To The Psalms by looking at Psalm 150, the rousing hallelujah that brings the Psalter itself to a close.Here's the ancient text of Psalm 150:Praise the Lord.[a]Praise God in his...

There is a world of difference between following your dream and following the dream.This Sunday, you find out what that difference is and why it matters in your life.And you know why I love third Sundays each month? (And this Sunday is a third Sunday.)Because we...

So I'll use the post title for my opening sentence:  my mother met Doris Kearns Goodwin yesterday.I suppose on the one hand, that's not so remarkable.Doris Kearns Goodwin is a decorated presidential historian and has published massive biographies of Abraham...

One of the most oft-repeated phrases in evangelicalism is "Christ-likeness."  As in, "the goal of discipleship is to grow us in Christ-likeness."Or: "we mature in faith as we become more Christ-like."Or even at a memorial service:  "she (or he) was one of...

The year 2013 has been one of the heaviest for funerals & memorial services that I've ever had.Including a recent burst of them.With that in mind, below I am re-printing & slightly editing a post from a few years ago regarding our approach to the ministry...

In the middle of a weekend full of guest speaking, Room In The Inn, funeral leading and funeral preparing, and our first annual Latino ministry celebration, there was a sermon to preach.One I felt good about in preparation.And so, predictably, I grew more despondent...

Week 2 of Wildest Dreams is one of my favorites:  The Dream Police.It's a fresh look at an ancient story, and I think some things emerge out of that story that will be helpful to a lot of Good Shepherd-ites. To prepare, check out Matthew 2:1-15 and see if you can...