Theology – Not Just for Professionals

In the last two blog posts, I said that this season of “stay home-stay safe” could be a season for short-term mission teams to focus on their spiritual growth and reflect on the meaning of mission. Some groups might do this through a Bible study. Others might use a book for mission teams like A … Continue reading Theology – Not Just for Professionals →

Short-term Mission in a Time of Coronavirus

John Wesley established three general rules for the earliest Methodist societies. The modern phrasing of his rules is: Do no harm, do all the good you can, and stay in love with God. The societies were small groups of people who sought spiritual renewal through gathering in small groups to pray, study scripture together, and … Continue reading Short-term Mission in a Time of Coronavirus →

The Fragrance of Missions

This spring I planted a vegetable and herb garden. I used to plant tomatoes and a few herbs each spring, but we moved to a new part of the country a couple years ago and I wasn't sure if I should try a garden here. The weather is different, the soil is different, and besides....my … Continue reading The Fragrance of Missions →

Asking For a Seat at the UMC Table

The United Methodist Church is in the news. NPR, New York Times, Washington Post, Houston Chronicle, and many others. They have been meeting in General Conference, where elected delegates from the global church debated whether to maintain prohibitions on LGBTQIA+ people in the life of the church, or to eliminate some of those prohibitions, or … Continue reading Asking For a Seat at the UMC Table →

Waters of Baptism

This week as I’ve been preparing for Baptism of the Lord Sunday in my local churches, I’ve been reading a lot about water, about Methodist understanding of baptism, and as always, mission. What does mission have to do with our baptism? Baptism is one of my earliest memories, watching my brothers being baptized in our … Continue reading Waters of Baptism →

Favorite Hymns for Mission

It is November, and many of my friends on Facebook are posting gratitudes. Each day they post words of gratitude for family, friends, joyful events, fond memories. This all is done in a spirit of Thanksgiving, expanding the attitude of giving thanks for more than just a holiday weekend. One of the people who I … Continue reading Favorite Hymns for Mission →

Faithfulness in Small Work

Dusting and Vacuuming Yesterday I worked cleaning chairs and polishing wood. As I vacuumed off construction dust from the seats and used old t-shirts to clean and condition the old altar, I thought about all the people through the history of Christianity who have done work like this – cleaning, setting up, taking down, organizing, … Continue reading Faithfulness in Small Work →

Planning a Short-Term Mission Trip – Part Three: Do No Harm

This past weekend two things happened: a friend asked me a question and I got a new compass. I’ll be honest. I really love hiking, but I have NO idea how to use a compass. Now that I live in a region with lots of trails, I’ve been learning. I’ve gone to classes, I’ve researched … Continue reading Planning a Short-Term Mission Trip – Part Three: Do No Harm →

Going On To Perfection

Forgiveness Through Lent, my Bible study group is focused on forgiveness. Last night, one of our discussions centered around how (if?) it is possible to forgive like Jesus did. We talked about how Jesus knew he was to be betrayed and yet he loved those who betrayed him, who put him on trial, who executed … Continue reading Going On To Perfection →

The Blessing of Shared Worship

Singing Together A couple weeks ago I had to miss Sunday morning worship due to a family emergency. I didn’t think missing one worship service would be too detrimental. I listen to an online daily devotional, keep a prayer journal, and attend a weekly Bible study. Turns out, what I missed was the music. Congregational … Continue reading The Blessing of Shared Worship →