Call and Response. In the African-American church tradition – call and response is what happens when the people hear something the preacher says and can’t contain themselves… they have to respond. It’s the chorus of Hallelujahs and Amens and Tell Me More Sister’s that the congregation brings out to help the preacher along in telling…
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The Human Condition
What effect has the practice of ministry had on your understanding of humanity and the need for divine grace? Over and over again I am reminded about our utter need for grace. In my own life and ministry the work I do would not be effective or positive if it were not for God’s grace.…
Goodbye Ordination Papers!!!
The past few weeks, really two months, I have been working here and there and everywhere on my ordination papers. And they are finally finished and in the mail system. And it feels like a huge load off of my life. As I thought about all the work that went into them, all the ways…
Nothing witty or profound
Lots of people are doing out with the old, in with the new posts. top ten lists. best of’s. I have been so busy that I don’t have the time or energy to really think about something that witty or profound. But one person did have this question posted on twitter on New Years Eve: …
Epiphany through the eyes of a servant girl
I have come here today to tell you a story. It’s a story that you think you know… but you don’t. You have only caught a glimpse of the truth. You have a version that has been changed and adapted and sanitized through time. But it’s not the real story… I have come here today to…
Clothing Ourselves…
This season is always interesting when you preach from the lectionary – the three year cycle of readings – because we seem to be doing a time warp. Just two days ago, we celebrated the birth of Christ, and here we are in the midst of the Christmas season – but then we jump ahead…
Quiet Christmas Morning
This has been a really difficult Advent and Christmas season for me. It is the time of light and hope and joy and peace, but I’m not quite there yet. I want to be there. I long for the coming of true light and true hope-filled promises and true joy and true peace. I guess I…
Praying for Peace
I’ve been thinking a lot about peace lately. I’ve been praying a lot FOR peace lately. While this isn’t a family that is facing conflict – many of you know that there is conflict in my family. I am wrestling with the distractions that it brings and must admit that there are days it is…