Pastor’s Ponderings

Back in the fall of 2016, I found I had some thoughts that might be of interest to the broader congregation. It might be something I came across in my reading, a peek behind the scenes in the life of the congregation, or something that I didn’t make its way into the...

Welcoming your new pastor in genuine and effective ways lays the groundwork for a healthy and vital relationship to form and for stable, long-term ministries develop. Here are 10  practical things you can do without much trouble.  I’ll bet you can think of even more...

Earlier this year, the Reconciling Ministry Team at Cavalry UMC circulated a survey and gathered responses on two matters related to our ministry with LGBTQI persons. One of the matters had to do with the possible creation of a policy regarding the use of the church...

I am excited to share what the United Methodist Council of Bishops and the Connectional Table, which involves the various key leaders in the denomination, have just recently shared. A new Vision for The United Methodist Church has just been unveiled—a vision that...

Today, I am at the 241st session of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, along with pastors and lay persons representing 632 United Methodist congregations in Maryland, Washington, DC, and a small part of West Virginia. There will be worship, lively conversation,...

Religion provides what sociologists call the “three B’s”: belief, belonging, and behavior. It offers beliefs that supply answers to the tough questions of life. It gives people a place they feel they belong, a community where they are known. And it tells them how to...

Here is a message from our Bishop regarding the new structure for the Baltimore Washington Conference: Beloved of God, Grace and peace to you in the name of our Risen Savior, Jesus the Christ. It is with great excitement and joy that I share the new structure of the...

Sometimes I have things that I hope to include in the sermon that don’t make the final cut. Sunday, I had hoped to share more about the women who were the first to believe in the resurrection. I didn’t get to share this in the Easter service, but I get to share it...

There is a long way between Palm Sunday adulation and Easter Sunday resurrection. We’d like to skip over the hard part, but it’s there. For Jesus, this included betrayal by one in his inner circle, denial by another, and abandonment from the rest. It included arrest...

Recently, The Christian Century magazine asked dozens of writers to respond to the question, “What is the Bible for?”. They could only use seven words or less to respond. The responses were very interesting and thought-provoking. I thought I would share some of them...