I am writing from the Rosen Shinglecreek resort during the Fellowship of Presbyterians gathering, as reported this week by Jeff Kunerth. I take note of the deep divide and shifting sands being experienced by all the main line denominations in America. Presbyterians aren’t alone in their internal divide over issues of sexuality and ordination. Episcopalians, … Read more
The Realignment Battle of the Mainline Church, Part I
The Trust Deficit
Last night John Huntsman delivered his victory/concession speech (which was it?) for his third place finish in the New Hampshire Republican primary. One of his main points concerned the decrease of trust the American public has for its major institutions. He said, “The people of the greatest nation that ever was, the United State of … Read more
Don’t Outsource Your Values to Presidential Candidates
Last night’s Iowa Caucus result represents an attempted pendulum swing for the country. Senator Rick Santorum’s surprising surge and victory, in spite of a few votes short of Governor Mitt Romney, is reminiscent of Mike Huckabee’s victory four years ago. The conservative base of the Republican Party finds a candidate that speaks to their agenda … Read more
Occupy Human History: Jesus
Time magazine’s Person of the Year is The Protestor. From the Occupy movements to the Arab Spring to Muscovites telling Putin they have moved on, the protestor has made 2011 a memorable year. Rick Stengel writes the following about the protestor: “They literally embodied the idea that individual action can bring collective, colossal change.” Christians … Read more
St. Phil of Polis
If the Protestant church had saints I’d nominate Phil Hissom, founder and president of the Polis Institute, for canonization. Today Phil wrote a My Word editorial entitled, “Relationships count in poverty fight,” conveying to the community that relationships are the core of sustainable people-development. Did you catch that? Relationships, not more money, not efficient methods, … Read more
Voting Patterns Based on Faith: We Need Honest Media Portrayal
The presidential campaigns of Mitt Romney and John Huntsman have raised the specter of a first for a US president: one who is a Mormon. Certainly after 44 presidents of Protestant faith affiliation, with exception for the lone Roman Catholic in John F. Kennedy, this would be a marked difference for our country. As well, … Read more
The Pastoral Wisdom of Dr. Tom Gillespie
I’ll never forget the day Dr. Tom Gillespie, then president of Princeton Theological Seminary, restored my academic pursuit and pastoral training such that I am now celebrating my 11th year in pastoral ministry. I found myself at the end of my first semester sitting anxiously across a long, forbidding conference table off his austere office. … Read more
The Pastoral Wisdom of Dr. Tom Gillespie
This article was originally posted on The Presbyterian Outlook webpage on November 12. 2011. I’ll never forget the day Dr. Tom Gillespie, then president of Princeton Theological Seminary, restored my academic pursuit and pastoral training such that I am now celebrating my 11th year in pastoral ministry. I found myself at the end of my … Read more
Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus, Mohammed and Vishnu
A 34 year old radio-disc jockey overthrows a democratically, twice-elected president. The ousted president just happened to be the vice-president of a large Christian denomination. Now, the pastors and members of that denomination, the second largest church body in the country, are harassed, jailed, even killed as the new dictator solidified his control. You’ve never heard … Read more
Place for a Republican’s Faith in Tonight’s Debate?
Tonight the Republican candidates for president will appear in another debate held here in Orlando. In this presidential cycle there are more diverse faiths represented among Republicans than ever: Mormon, Roman Catholic, evangelical Christian, and main-line Protestant. The role of faith is dissected by the media more often than addressed by the candidates themselves, unless, … Read more
