I share an automated blog reading level with Andrew at Gen-X Rising and Theolog among others. I am not sure if I should shoot higher or lower, or what that might mean. Allan R. Bevere and First Things are both on the "college (post grad)" level. Jonathan is an absolute genius, Bishop Willimon aims at … Continue reading “Make it plain” or “reach out without dumbing down?”
Author: gkevinbaker
Go Ye and Swindle Likewise?
>A sermon on the dishonest manager / preached at RUMC on 9/23/2007Alright already. I get it. Take a lesson from the business world. When church leadership gets tired of biblical metaphors for ministry like sheep and shepherd, field and farmer, fish and fishermen, we quickly turn to what may appear to be more relevant metaphors … Continue reading Go Ye and Swindle Likewise?
Gas Prices in Zimbabwe: 2.3 million dollars per gallon
>It is a devastated economy (for the full story, click the picture to the left). Grocery stores lay barren with people hanging out on the corner praying for a delivery truck to appear. Educated professionals are fleeing the country for their livelihood, as are blue collar and other workers. South Africa is now being described … Continue reading Gas Prices in Zimbabwe: 2.3 million dollars per gallon
Wisdom for Wesleyans (from the Oxford Institute – those unable to attend in person)
>It only comes around once every five years, so if you enjoy Wesleyan studies, reflection, and conferencing, I recommend that you browse through this year's group papers. Here you will find some great reflections from veteran Wesley scholars, Phd. students in Wesleyan studies, and up and coming Wesleyan theologians.For the "who's who" of current Methodist … Continue reading Wisdom for Wesleyans (from the Oxford Institute – those unable to attend in person)
Praying for and Listening to Peter
>It happened one Sunday in morning worship several years ago. After the sermon, instead of a Pastoral Prayer, the liturgist led the congregation in a responsive litany that sought to gather our collective praises and prayers. Then, without warning, the liturgist prayed: "Lord, we pray for the church universal, for Pope John Paul II, for … Continue reading Praying for and Listening to Peter
Fishing for All People
>And he said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people." Matthew 4:19Fishing is prominent biblical metaphor that is rich in theological implications for evangelism and what some might call "marketing the church." When I head to the ocean, I generally engage in two types of fishing: pole fishing and net … Continue reading Fishing for All People
Visiting Jesus in Prison
>Before leaving on vacation this week, I traveled to the Durham County Detention Center (the city jail; sometimes referred to with sarcasm as the "downtown Hilton") with Pastor Edgardo to visit and pray with one of my Latino parishioners. Even though I had a lot of things to do before heading to the beach - … Continue reading Visiting Jesus in Prison
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