I recently helped write a letter to leaders of my denomination, Mennonite Church USA. This letter asks that the denomination make space for congregations and pastors who welcome and bless LGBTQ people. Over 150 credentialed (and formerly credentialed) Mennonite pastors have signed it. I shouldn’t be surprised that there have been letters in response to…
In one of my Mennonite Facebook groups the other day, someone asked who would be the first to blog about the “elephant in the room.” That elephant would be the recent licensing toward ordination of my friend and colleague Theda Good. Theda is called by God and gifted by the Spirit to serve a church…
Here are a few excerpts from this past Sunday’s sermon on Acts 15–a.k.a. The Jerusalem Council. My fifteen-year-old informs me that she was trying to read during the sermon, “But then you got loud.” I’m afraid you won’t be able to experience the full effect of my pulpit pounding–you’ll just have to use your imaginations.…
This week we will be looking at the story of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 . . . AND we will be worshiping with board members from the Brethren Mennonite Council for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Interests. (I wish I could say that I plan stuff like this–but I don’t.) Below is the…
So I have another story about holy space and tears and unconsumed communion bread. You can read it over on Huffington Post.
A couple of years ago at a conference, a mutual friend introduced me to an editor of a denominational magazine. The editor promptly said, “Oh. You’re the notorious pastor.” I did feel like a minor (very minor) celebrity at that conference in the wake of news stories about “the wedding” and “the review.” That would…
True to form, I haven’t packed yet for the national Mennonite convention in Phoenix. I have, however, been avoiding pink clothes this week to make sure they are clean when I do pack. Because once again I will be joining with other Pink Mennos to bear witness to our denomination–witness to the hurt and exclusion…
If you know me, my church, or my blog well at all, you know that I support gay rights. I think God supports gay rights. I think the sacredness of marriage is about mutual love, commitment, and respect. Period. And if you have had the opportunity (or misfortune?) to talk with me about “the issue”…
There are so many good words in the air today. Good words from the inauguration. Good words from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I hesitate to add many more words to the mix. I’d rather enjoy the words of others today. I’ve shared a brief reflection on King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” over…
I came across a bit of validation for this little blog series the other day. In Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places, Eugene Peterson writes, “We cannot be too careful about the words we use; we start out using them and they end up using us.” All of this thinking about how to talk to…
Spacious Faith 