Photo by Jeremy Perkins on Unsplash I have never really thought about the Ascension, the Ascension of our Lord, I mean. In 33 years of ordained ministry, I can count on one hand the number of times that I have presided at an Ascension Day liturgy, or preached on the Ascension texts, or led a Bible study on the Ascension story. Perhaps, it is because Ascension falls on a Thursday, and, well – Thursday liturgies are hard. Thursdays just aren’t days that we typically gather, or worship in community, or think about “church things” – And who wants to celebrate an exit when entrances are so much mo ..read more

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash I can still smell the sweet musty scent of the church basement where I went to Sunday School as a child. I can still see the  white plastic, church-light-coin-box  in which we deposited our pennies on the Sundays closest to our birthdays – one penny for each year of our age. I can still hear the old upright piano, slightly out of tune, and so familiar as we sang our Opening songs  every Sunday – He Leadeth Me, O God our Help in Ages Past, Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us. I can still see the little chairs on which we sat, the tables around which we ..read more

The following is a lightly edited transcript and a video of Rev. Isaiah Shaneequa Brokenleg’s talk from our 2021 Enfleshing Witness gathering. Shaneequa preaches because in her Lakota culture Winkte, Two Spirit people, have been called by their communities to be spiritual, social, and emotional healers. Following in that tradition, she strives to live into the role her communities have called her to. Shaneequa preaches to call the Church and society back into right relationship, wolakota, with itself, with each other, with the Creator, and with creation.  Shaneequa preaches among all her ..read more

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash I have been asked by a number of people about some top tips for what to do this year with giving and the upcoming presidential election.  There is concern that divisive politics may monopolize the attention of those in our communities. Or, alternatively, how our communities respond to the election may cause givers to rethink their life choices and keep their annual gifts. Recently a pastor asked me if I could send a top five list for ensuring success this election year.  I want to honor that question and also acknowledge the reality that many of ..read more

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash I have been asked by a number of people about some top tips for what to do this year with giving and the upcoming presidential election.  There is concern that divisive politics may monopolize the attention of those in our communities. Or, alternatively, how our communities respond to the election may cause givers to rethink their life choices and keep their annual gifts. Recently a pastor asked me if I could send a top five list for ensuring success this election year.  I want to honor that question and also acknowledge the reality that many of ..read more

The following is a lightly edited transcript and a video of Shin Maeng’s talk from our 2021 Enfleshing Witness gathering.  Shin creates because God has invited him to create and share beauty, brokenness, and redemption; and invites all to be a part of the beautiful, epic story of God and his creation.  Shin creates in order to bring a deep awareness of the movement of God in our lives on a daily basis.  Shin creates among those who daily walk with the experiences of brokenness, joy, scars, peace, loss, adventure, contemplation, redemption, and love. Hello, my name is Shin, and ..read more

Photo by Rodion Kutsaiev on Unsplash I recently stumbled upon a social media post from an area parent. She was looking to take her young children to church for the first time, and needed recommendations. She wanted a church that was welcoming, inclusive, and ostensibly non-denominational (though I wonder if she was actually looking for a non-partisan congregation). Dozens of other area parents responded to the post. Most recommended the area megachurch for its great kids programming. Some suggested the up and coming congregation that may soon become a megachurch. Only one person suggested a M ..read more

The following is a lightly edited transcript and a video of Jared E. Alcantara’s talk from our 2022 Enfleshing Witness gathering. Jared E. Alcantara is Professor of Preaching at Truett Seminary at Baylor University. He was born and raised in New Jersey and came to faith in Christ at the age of 14. He is half Latino, Honduran, and half white.  An ordained Baptist minister, he has served as a youth pastor, associate pastor, and teaching pastor in Illinois, Massachusetts, Oregon, and New Jersey.  Before coming to Truett, from 2014 to 2018,  he served as an associate professor of h ..read more

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash I can still smell the sweet musty scent of the church basement where I went to Sunday School as a child. I can still see the  white plastic, church-light-coin-box  in which we deposited our pennies on the Sundays closest to our birthdays – one penny for each year of our age. I can still hear the old upright piano, slightly out of tune, and so familiar as we sang our Opening songs  every Sunday – He Leadeth Me, O God our Help in Ages Past, Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us. I can still see the little chairs on which we sat, the tables around which we ..read more

The following is a lightly edited transcript and a video of Rev Dr. Valerie Bridgeman’s talk from our 2022 Enfleshing Witness gathering. Rev. Dr. Valerie Bridgman is the founder and president of Women Preach, and she serves as Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. Dr. Bridgman is a graduate of Trinity University, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and Baylor University. Dr. Bridgman has written several published works and has edited and contributed to the Africana Bible: Reading Israel's Scriptures From Africa and the African Diaspora ..read more