I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; Psalm 22:14 O Lord, have mercy! My hands have fallen numb My feet drag in the dirt. This sorrow is too heavy to bear. I cannot find words…
DetailsYoung people are absent from the church. That is a broad enough statement that it is both true and untrue. It is true insofar as statistics show a decline (Barna Group estimates that only 9% of Gen Z is engaged in church). But it is untrue that young people are not interested in the church…
DetailsThis Sunday our focus will be Peacemaking. The word is a verb as opposed to the word peace which is a noun. Peace is what we might experience as a result of the hard work of peacemaking (and it is hard work). In preparation for this Sunday, I have been reading a book by Donald…
DetailsIn some Christian denominations the pastor’s hands are tied in terms of the passages she or he will preach on. For example, the Episcopalian Church and the Roman Catholic Church are required to follow the lectionary, which is a three-year cycle of Bible passages arranged by a large inter-denominational group. Presbyterians, Lutherans, and Methodists also…
DetailsWhat a blessing it is to live in Santa Barbara! One might expect that after living here for decades, as many of you have, the beauty of this place would fade into the background. But that does not seem to be the case. People express their gratitude for the gifts of this place in words…
DetailsPeople have been looking at me askance lately, saying “I have a joke…do you want me to tell it?” The answer is YES! Yes, I do want you to tell it. This coming Sunday, the Sunday after Easter, is traditionally one of the lowest attended church services of the year. That means we can all…
DetailsLast week the New York Times ran an article titled “How Covid Changed the Clergy in New York,” which triggered my own reflection on how the past two years have impacted me as a clergy person and, more importantly, how it has affected my mission in the church. Looking back, I am beginning to think…
DetailsThere is no more confusing Christian observance than Palm Sunday. It has been a while since we have celebrated it in person (since 2019), but I’m sure you all remember. It’s the day when we typically process into the sanctuary with palm fronds, waving them in the air and shouting “Hosanna!” A lot of churches…
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It is true that Easter is on its way, however, before we arrive at that celebration there are a few observances to be made. Holy Week starts with Palm/Passion Sunday, which will be April 10th. This is the service when we imitate the people of Israel as Jesus rode into Jerusalem, waving palm leaves and…
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