I’m with John. There is a racism and xenophobia undergirding some of our political rhetoric that has in recent years been normalized. I must speak against it.
This is not about being liberal or conservative. It’s about being compassionate and human.
And I was honored to know his father, a United Methodist pastor and colleague, who told him to “remember who you are.”
You can find John’s column HERE.
Soul Studio is a ministry of writing, music, and spiritual formation. It’s a space where faith and creativity meet, where together we can slow down, ask deeper questions, and pay attention.
At Soul Studio, you’ll find my writings, music, resources for spiritual formation, and projects I’m working on. I hope some things will simply give you a moment to pause and breathe.
After 37 years of ministry, I’m discovering new ways to make room for creativity, faith, and meaningful connection.
I’d love for you to visit, explore, and let me know what you think.
If something there speaks to you, feel free to share it with someone who might need it.
#SoulStudio #SpiritualFormation #Writing #FaithAndCreativity #Ministry
I’m honored. My article about one of the most profound “holy moments” of my life will be included.
Here is my podcast on the scripture of Jacob wrestling the angel all night, in light of Wesley's interpretation emphasizing the burning question of who the stranger is wrestling Jacob in the night, and the gradual realization that his name is LOVE.
Here is the PODCAST. Have a listen!
My “Living Stones” CD is now available on all major platforms!
Please do me a favor, friends. You don’t have to buy it. But if you take a few minutes to have a listen to samples on your favorite platform, the metrics will help get it out to others.
Check it out here: LIVING STONES CD
Judge ends Jan. 6 case against Proud Boys with warning about Trump pardons
Recently, a former president of Asbury seminary, Timothy Tennent, wrote a blog post disparaging the United Methodist Church after his school did not pass the accreditation process of the university senate.
Here is my response.
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There’s much more to the story.
While once a good Wesleyan holiness seminary (they have never been United Methodist and in times past they weren’t approved for United Methodists, so it’s not new), during the last ten years Asbury has been a seedbed of schism against the UMC and were directly involved in it like no other seminary.
Add to that the fact that suddenly they no longer have UMC professors or a UMC program track. Now only 8-9%of their students are United Methodist because of their recent positioning. If they no longer meet the standards, they simply don’t meet them.
What did they expect? They brought this loss of accreditation upon themselves. The university senate acted with integrity. Why would the UMC send candidates to them when they have developed such open disdain for the UMC?
Having said that, I know a number of United Methodists who had a good education from there and they serve faithfully. But they tell me they wouldn’t recommend it now.
We have 13 United Methodist seminaries and a number of others that meet the standards for approval. Asbury has clearly aligned itself solely with the GMC, openly promoted schism, and adopted an openly anti-UMC stance. To imply that this is sudden or claim Asbury is being victimized by a denomination that is no longer a “big tent,” as some of their leadership have written, is hogwash. They simply no longer meet the requirements.
I’d encourage everybody to take a step back from making culture war assumptions and see that this is a natural consequence.
I have nothing against Asbury. But I stand firmly against misinformation about the UMC which gets thrown into the discussion.