Mark 8: 13-34 “Let’s Go to the Movies: ‘The Mission'”

(This sermon was preached in 1998 in the Wabash Christian Church (DoC). Unfortunately, the message in the sermon is still relevant today as the persecution, displacement, and slaughter of native peoples in Latin America continue in 2020.) The Mission is one of my favorite movies. This film is powerful and… Continue reading

Ephesians 4:1-16 “The Universal Body of Christ”

When I was a child, my notion of church never went beyond the gathered community that worshiped in the fortress like structure on Chesterfield St. in Aiken, S.C. In fact, my concept of church was inextricably tied to that dark and mysterious building. I belonged to that church. My friend Ernie… Continue reading

A Creed to Live By

I come from a tradition which has been suspicious of creeds. Baptists associate creeds with the Roman Catholic Church (and therefore reject the historic creeds), and one of the early slogans of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was “no creed but Christ.” I find it ironic that conservative Christians… Continue reading

Matthew 5: 14-16 “The Light of the World”

Whenever I hear this passage, I think of that song I was taught as a child and with which many of you are familiar: “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.” But there is a major problem with that song-especially if it has this passage in… Continue reading

Acts 1:1-14 “Living in Between”

That day on the Mount of Olives marks a pivotal transition in the life of the church.  Luke is the only Gospel writer to report this ascension. We don’t do much with the ascension in our theology.  In fact, some people are embarrassed by the way Luke presents it. Is… Continue reading