Reading the Bible in Community

This morning, I did what I often do before opening Scripture for my daily reading: I read the newspaper. One of those headlines included coverage of a week-long public Bible reading at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, where politicians and celebrities are taking turns reading the Bible aloud in what is being framed … Continue reading Reading the Bible in Community

Verbs, Not Nouns: An Invitation

Black History Month invites us to do more than remember; it invites us to reckon. I've been sitting with that conviction in a preaching cohort led by Duke's Dr. Luke Powery, whose work on the Holy Spirit and human dignity has sharpened the way I think about language and race. In his book Becoming Human, … Continue reading Verbs, Not Nouns: An Invitation

Marry the Mystery

A sermon for Christmas Eve 2025 preached at Edenton Street UMC As I begin tonight, I want to share that some of my thoughts tonight have been inspired by the poet Steve Garnaas-Holmes, whose words about this season have been rattling around in my heart and mind for weeks now. Two phrases in particular are … Continue reading Marry the Mystery

Christ the King, Mother Hen

Preached at Edenton Street United Methodist Church on Christ the King Sunday, November 24, 2024 Scripture: Jeremiah 23:1-6 / Luke 13:31-35 / Luke 23:33-43 Today is Christ the King Sunday. It is a day to reflect on what it means to say "Jesus Christ is Lord and King." It is a day to explore what … Continue reading Christ the King, Mother Hen

Dangerous Sermons

See these pews right up here in the front? Years ago, they might have looked a bit different than these we have today. I didn’t reserve them for a special purpose today, but I thought about it! In the early Methodist revivals, there were no nice, cushioned altar rails to come and kneel for prayer. … Continue reading Dangerous Sermons