When Hitler began interfering with the churches and humiliating, torturing, and killing the Jews, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a loyal German himself, began to resist and protest. Being a minister, he refused to take part in the state churches which bowed to the Nazi’s demands. Some other ministers faced this tragic situation with quite a different logic.… Continue reading We will not be “taking the summer off” of ministry
Category: Pastor Paul’s Ponderings and Letters
The Progress Pride Flag
One of Howard Thurman’s most famous quotes is, “Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because the world needs people who have come alive.” As we emerge from the Covid cocoon, we are exploring how to come alive—our mission for 2023 is “What makes you come alive? Go and do it.” After… Continue reading The Progress Pride Flag
Quick fix for hypocrisy
Mahatma Gandhi reportedly said: “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” He’s not alone. It’s not so much that Christians have an image problem. It’s far more likely that we have an integrity problem. The problem with many non-Christians isn’t that they don’t know any… Continue reading Quick fix for hypocrisy
“Isn’t it great that they found someone to love.”
Fifty-two years ago, when I was still a child, I met my first same-gender couple. It was 1971. The occasion was a family reunion to which the whole farming community was invited – we’re talking over a hundred folks. There was plenty of food, lots of cousins to play with, and a diverse group of… Continue reading “Isn’t it great that they found someone to love.”
Our Progressive Art Installation story—in pictures
The Progressive Art Installation began right after the Annual Meeting in January 2023. At that meeting, I challenged the congregation with this: “What makes you come alive? Go and do it.” Jeff Scruggs helped us envision a design with butterflies that would grow and change each week. It started with a stump – then a… Continue reading Our Progressive Art Installation story—in pictures
My seventh anniversary of being pastor at the Palms!
The beginning of June marks the seventh anniversary of being pastor at The Palms. So many memories come flooding up as I reflect upon this anniversary. I am amazed at the ministry God has done with us – it’s not you or me – but God’s Spirit working through us. Here’s a top 10 list… Continue reading My seventh anniversary of being pastor at the Palms!
Pastor Jim’s sabbatical is about to begin!
The time has finally arrived – Pastor Jim’s sabbatical starts right after worship this Sunday. He has earned every second of this time. We wish him the very best as he journeys. There are a couple of rules while he is gone: 1) He’s not allowed to contact us, and 2) We’re not to contact… Continue reading Pastor Jim’s sabbatical is about to begin!
What new folks find at The Palms
Have you noticed all the new people hanging out at The Palms? With new people come questions – and we love questions! Most inquiries ask me to describe our church. What phrases would you use to sketch out who and what we are? How would you describe us? At The Palms, we celebrate the diversity… Continue reading What new folks find at The Palms
“That’s exactly what I needed to hear.”
I like sermons… listening to them, reading them, and preaching them. I enjoy planning and thinking through each turn, word play, and phrase. While on sabbatical, I enjoyed the opportunity to hear some of my colleagues preach. Some of the messages were profound, joyful, and moving. Others had a point or two. Unfortunately, some were… Continue reading “That’s exactly what I needed to hear.”
The wheels on the Bus go round and round…
For years and years we have been richly blessed to have a Bus Ministry to help us with our transportation needs at The Palms. And that ministry shall continue to be blessed as our new Bus serves us. The new Bus has been wrapped with our logo, and wow, does it ever look good! This… Continue reading The wheels on the Bus go round and round…