Sept. 14, 2014 Romans 14:1-12 Matt 18:21-35 A friend of mine and seminary classmate has made something of a name for himself in the UCC, serving a few large churches first in MA and now in Chicago. He’s written for some national publications and he’s been mentioned in at least one recent best seller on […]

Sept. 7, 2014 Ex. 12:1-14 Rom 13:8-14 Matthew 18:15-20 A visiting YDS professor was called upon to preach at the downtown New Haven church where I interned about 18 years ago. I don’t remember his name, but a story he told has found a permanent place in my collection of important religious experiences. He talked […]

Aug. 31, 2014 Romans 12:9-21 Matthew 16: 21-28 Greg Jones was at one point the Dean of Duke Divinity School.  His wife was a United Methodist Pastor serving a new parish somewhere near the school.  Jones talks about the divisions in that church and recalls the experience that his wife witnessed one night in the […]

Rom. 12:1-8 Matthew 16:13-20 I was 25 or 26 years old.  A woman who had participated in the groups that I led at the church came to my office.  She was concerned with the state of her spiritual life – even a bit discouraged that here she was in her late 50’s or early 60’s […]

Genesis 28:10-19a Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 In a recent edition of the Christian Century a chaplain talks about receiving a call to visit a dying man.  At the base of the man’s bed sat his eldest son, John.  John told the chaplain not to worry.  He said his dad was a Christian and had been “saved” […]