Staff Christmas Field Trip 2013

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...

read more

How Did We Ever Get Here?

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...

read more

Psalm 150 Revisited

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...

read more

Wildest Dreams, Week 3 — Follow The Dream

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...

read more

My Mother Met Doris Kearns Goodwin Yesterday

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...

read more

The Irony Of Christ-Likeness

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...

read more

The Dream Police Review

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...

read more

The Dream Police . . . And More

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...

read more