What makes you come alive?

What makes you come alive? Howard Thurman was a friend and colleague of Martin Luther King, Sr. He was a mentor to MLK Jr., too. Author, philosopher, theologian, mystic, educator, and civil rights leader, he recognized that many people live as though they were already dead. Thus, he challenged one and all: “Ask what makes… Continue reading What makes you come alive?

What the church needs

Howard Thurman was an American author, theologian, and educator. Thurman’s theology of radical nonviolence influenced and shaped a generation of civil rights activists – he was a key mentor to leaders within the civil rights movement, including MLK, Jr. One of Thurman’s poems, The Work of Christmas, was turned into a hymn we sing a lot… Continue reading What the church needs

What phrase doesn’t spark energy, passion, or excitement?

The phrase, “Annual Meeting,” isn’t one that sparks a lot of energy, passion, or excitement in most folks. But it is necessary. Like worship, refreshments will be served afterwards. Votes will be tabulated on our ministry budget and the slate of our future leaders. Will we use an abacus for the tally? Come and find… Continue reading What phrase doesn’t spark energy, passion, or excitement?

“Tell them about the dream!”

It was one of the biggest speeches of his career, and he knew it. MLK Jr. was already widely recognized as the spiritual leader of the American civil rights movement. The podium set up in front of the Lincoln Memorial would be his biggest pulpit ever. The eyes of the nation were on the keynote… Continue reading “Tell them about the dream!”

It’s time to Bee the Church. 

Connecting names and faces challenges all of us. Have you ever finished having a lovely conversation with someone at church but 10 seconds after you walk away you can’t remember their name? Or ever see an old friend at church, but you get home, and their name escapes you? Ever look at a prayer list… Continue reading It’s time to Bee the Church. 

Most years I sing, and I cringe a little…

I confess that I love singing church music this time of the year – the old familiar carols and the new ones. I’ve been singing in church for over 50 years! I’ve sung in the sanctuary choir cantatas for almost as long. This year marked the 44th year that I have sung in a cantata.… Continue reading Most years I sing, and I cringe a little…

The Race Is On

By now, the race is on. Thanksgiving leftovers are history, shoppers have come home with bags and bargains in tow, Amazon / UPS / Fed-ex are dropping off the online purchases, and the festivities have officially begun. For the next week or so, advertisements will dominate the airwaves, catalogs will clutter our mailboxes, and coupons… Continue reading The Race Is On