Author Archive

As I write this looking out my study’s window at our church, the sky is a rich blue, dotted with cottony clouds. There’s a nip in the air. Fall is here! And that means new offerings and new opportunities for…

As the start of the NFL season approaches, the practice of kneeling during the playing of our national anthem by some NFL players is once again, front and center. The searing effect of this form of visual protest has been…

I recently came across a series of questions that I believe are an excellent summary of the teaching we’ve encountered in the book of James. I hope you will join me in prayerfully reflecting on these during the month of…

Around 9:15 PM on July 4th, I was leaving Swedish Covenant Hospital when I found myself in the middle of one of the loudest celebrations of our nation’s birthday that I can remember. All sorts of high grade fireworks were…

It’s been a few weeks since I last wrote my “more or less weekly” column. Over that time, much has happened in our world, most prominently the June 14th attempted murders of Republican congressmen practicing for the annual Congressional Baseball Game….

In the Covenant Book of Worship it states: “Healing is primary ministry of the Christian Church. Jesus was known as a healer and sent his disciples out to preach good news, cast out demons, and heal the sick (Mark 6:12-13)….Throughout…

Quick! What’s our church’s vision statement?! Not on the tip of your tongue or in the forefront of your mind? No worries…. You’re not alone. As pastor, I haven’t done a particularly stellar job of reminding us or unpacking for…

National Volunteer Week (also known as Volunteer Appreciation Week) was instituted in the United States by a Presidential proclamation issued by then President Richard M. Nixon in 1974. Its purpose was to honor and celebrate all the many volunteers who…

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to lead our spring Newcomers/Inquirers’ Class. It is always a joy of mine to explore faith in Jesus Christ with others and to share about our particular expression of the Christian tradition, both…

This past Sunday evening, I dropped in on the Community Bible Study small group that John & Debbie Ranieri host in their home. After feasting on Debbie’s homemade lasagna, the group began to discuss the previous week’s readings from 1st…