Originally published as an editorial in the Orlando Sentinel on March 26, 2013. The Central Florida Commission on Homelessness announced this week the hiring of Andrae Bailey as their new CEO. Andrae Bailey is a great choice. I know him to be a collaborative leader who moves beyond institutional loyalties to reach higher goals. This … Read more
A Leader For Our Time : Bailey Good Choice to Help Homeless
Rollins College: Illiberal Education?
Rollins College recently booted Intervarsity Christian Fellowship off campus. ICF is a 136 year old ministry founded by students at Cambridge, England, known more for its laborious lectures and academic publications than any sense of extremism or cultic behavior. This decision by the Rollins College administration is one that is being increasingly adopted by universities … Read more
The End of the World As We Know It?
Originally published as an editorial in the Orlando Sentinel on December 21, 2012. The buildup to December 21, 2012, fascinates me. The American public has been captivated by the idea the world will end with the conclusion of the Mayan calendar on Friday. I’m willing to guess most Americans wouldn’t know a Mayan calendar if … Read more
Billy Graham Epitomizes and Ends Christendom
Billy Graham has been called America’s Pastor. His voice in the American conversation and his access to twelve U.S. presidents is unmatched. He is the ultimate example of Christian faith wedded to societal and governmental power. This marriage of faith and power has a name: Christendom. Theologians, sociologists and historians use this term to describe … Read more
Thank You, Florida Hospital
Since July 1 I have lost twelve pounds. I visit the downtown YMCA four to five times a week. I have tried yoga, bar stretching, and now spinning has become my happy place. I sat with a professional counselor to evaluate my ministry load and stress level. My wife has been invited to clergy spouse events, and … Read more
A Second Chance in the Age of Facebook?
Originally published on the Opinionators Blog of orlandosentinel.com on September 14, 2012. As I was being fingerprinted for a background check in order to join my child on a school field trip, I was taken with how much business the background check company was doing. I asked, “Are most of your customers parents of school-aged … Read more
Orlando’s Hunger Games
In the pop literary, and now cinematic, sensation, The Hunger Games, a young girl, named Katniss Everdeen, is thrust into a life or death adventure not of her own choosing. The story is set in North America after nuclear war has ameliorated much of the social fabric we know today. As society reestablished itself a … Read more
Fidel & Benedict
Two men. Two ubiquitous names. Two individuals who shape our times and will resonate in the history books. And two very different paths each with their own lessons for the rest of us to observe. The psychologist would point to their family of origin as a reason why these men chose such divergent paths. Perhaps … Read more
David Brooks is Wrong About Jeremy Lin
David Brooks, a columnist I enjoy reading and greatly admire, made the case in Friday’s New York Times that a faith driven athlete is a problem. I have a problem with that. Brooks contends the moral ethos of sport is contradictory to the moral ethos of faith, a term in which he carelessly lumps together … Read more
The Realignment Battle of the Mainline Church, Part II
Last time we looked at the theological divides within the mainline denominations over Christ’s divinity, Biblical authority, and means of salvation. The other major fissure growing within mainline churches is over adaptive change: can you change fast enough to disciple this generation as Jesus followers before its lights out? Surprising to some, denominations as church … Read more
