On the Third Sunday of Advent, Year B of the Revised Common Lectionary gives us Luke 1:26-38. It is the story of “the Annunciation,” nine months before Christmas. But we are in December, chronologically only a week-and-a-half before Mary will give birth. It’s all good. Advent is an excellent time to think about the promise […]
Monday Meditation: RCL Year C, 7th Sunday of Easter, John 17:20-26
Sunday’s lectionary Gospel (John 17:20-26) is a chunk of Jesus’ “High Priestly Prayer” after dinner on Maundy Thursday. It is a remarkable passage when taken as a whole — one of my favorites really. And the lectionary does give us the whole thing. You just have to be patient. Every year, on the 7th Sunday […]
New Online Prayer Class: “Pray Like a Reformer”
I’m really psyched to announce that I’m offering a new online prayer class through this website. I’m calling it “Pray Like a Reformer,” and registration is open through Friday October 12, 2018. Pray Like a Reformer Martin Luther and John Calvin were both passionate about prayer. They both thought it was basic to the authentic […]
Helping Christian Community Thrive: What Do You Teach?
A new community blossomed after that first Christian Pentecost. Not only did 3,000 get baptized into the Body of Christ after Peter’s first sermon. They found an effective way to live the faith together — a way so appealing to outsiders that day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being […]
Letters to a Young Pastor: Is Your Inner Sense of Call Enough?
Dear ______: I’m very glad to hear that your friend said she could totally see you as a pastor. That is something very important in discerning whether you are called to ordained ministry. In my tradition we call that the “external call.” When other people affirm that ministry is a good choice it is the second half of what you need. […]