Summer is winding down, school begins soon for many and the weather is (finally!) outstanding, beautiful and inspiring. If you’re like me, that means your tolerance for reading some long missive from me is basically nil. Yet, the call to incarnate the love of God as experienced in the birth, life, death and resurrection of …
Tag: justice
Widening the circle
Yesterday I shared that I was one of over 4000 pastors who signed an open letter to President Obama and Congress regarding the current budget impass. I am also one of over 500 people from across Illinois who signed a memo to our Senators, Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk. Today, Bread for the World activists …
My ad in Politico
Ok, so this isn't exactly my ad in Politico...but I am one of the 4000+ pastors who signed on to this: Sojouners writes more about this on their God's Politics blog today. They also list the ad signers by state. Sojo invited me to write "2-3 sentences" about my support for this movement which they …
Guest blogger: Pastor Jim responds to Ministry With
A few weeks ago I wrote about the new UMC resource, Ministry With* the Poor I hope you’ve checked that out by now and at least watched the introductory video. If not, I encourage you to do so now. One of the fascinating things about Ministry With* the Poor is the collaborative effort bringing it …
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New math: With > 2 & 4
I am an American Baptist. I grew up attending an American Baptist church and I am ordained by the American Baptist Churches USA. However (and oddly), I’ve spent the last 15+ years serving as one of the pastors of the Woodridge United Methodist Church. As The United Methodist Church is about ten times bigger than …
“That’s some salty language!” – final version of Feb.6 sermon
Not exactly sure why, but unlike many of my more disciplined colleagues, I've never been one to post a written version of a sermon. Probably has mostly to do with not preaching from a manuscript. Posting a few notes with a few more-fully written paragraphs and a few other thoughts that end up not being said...well, …
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“…Seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan…”
“Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” Isaiah 1:17 “During National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we rededicate ourselves to preventing and ending human trafficking, and we recognize all who continue to fight this serious human rights violation,” declared President Obama as he proclaimed January …
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Anne’s House and shocking proximity
According to the author of the Gospel of Luke, Jesus began his public ministry with a reading from Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me to bring good news to the poor…to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free…” Then Jesus declared …
Speaking Out: Clergy Against Bullying and Anti-Gay Violence
Thanks to a link on Twitter from Kimberly Knight, I became aware of this Clergy Against Bullying petition. In tone and message, the petition is a companion to my Oct. 10 sermon. I encourage you to go read the whole thing (it's not that long, especially as joint statement press releases go). Here's the opening …
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More good thoughts on anti-gay bullying
There is no joking around about this one: I'm furious. And my heart is shattered. 6 teens from across the country dead at their own hand. 6 teens dead at their own hand because they were mercilessly bullied. 6 kids bullied, 6 kids dead because they were gay. And those are just the ones we …
All That I Can't Leave Unsaid 