Thou Shalt Not…
Joel and I meet monthly with other pastors and credentialed leaders from Central District Conference for conversation, support, and fellowship. At the last gathering, the topic that was suggested for the group was to have everyone offer a few of their “10 Commandments for Ministry.” What “thou shalts” or “thou…
Mennonites voting, discerning
At the end of this month delegates from around Mennonite Church USA will be meeting for the Special Session of the Delegate Assembly in Kansas City. Delegates typically meet during church wide biennial conventions on the odd years, but last year…Covid. So we’re meeting in person over four days on…
Just as new as old
Our spring review of the CMC directory got me curious: Of the folks now listed in the directory, what is the ratio between those who were part of the church when I came on board (nearly nine years ago) and those who came after me? A nonscientific flip and tally…
Holy Holy Holy Week
This year Holy Week and Easter overlap with the Jewish Passover and Muslim month of Ramadan. Because Ramadan is on the lunar calendar this is rare. This means about 4.3 billion of the earth’s nearly 8 billion people, well over half, are currently within a sacred time. On Monday Congregation…
Lent Devotional: The Magic of the Return
Thinking about our Lent theme of Turn/Return has me reflecting back on one of my favorite movies, The Prestige. It is a movie about rival magicians played by Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale, set in late 19th century London. Explained by one of the characters, the movie takes its title…