Nearly six-in-ten Americans define religion in this way. Not spirituality, but they define religion as something that is very important to them according to a previous survey of the Pew Forum of Religion and Public Life.  Six out of ten… Continue reading

There is this weird tension in the pastoral life.  It’s a tension that I’m never really sure I’ll know how to navigate — but it’s an important tension to me.  It’s one that I was able to clearly identify yesterday… Continue reading

I’m not sure exactly how it happened — though I never really know how the Holy Spirit moves.  I can tell you when it happens.  I can tell you when I feel her.  I can tell you when She appears.… Continue reading

The Cornerstone Fund is a ministry of the United Church of Christ which allows churches to both invest and borrow toward greater financial health. The churches that borrow are usually looking to build. Literally. They are looking to construct some… Continue reading

Saturday was the ninth anniversary. I remember that day.  I was living in London where I was a professional dog walker (that’s not the point of the story). My boss called me at home at 3:00 PM. He told me… Continue reading

Christians emphasize the Great Commission.  There is something so compelling about our faith that we believe that we should share it. No. It’s more than that. We are called to share it. Jesus instructs us to go beyond all boundaries… Continue reading

Is believing in God evolutionary advantageous? NPR asks bravely asked this question yesterday when speaking to Professor Dominic Johnson of the University of Edinburgh. It’s the assertion of this professor that gives me pause.  He claims that our individual belief… Continue reading

I like noise.  I am comforted by noise.  I grew up on a busy street where traffic lulled me to sleep.  This made slumber a dream perched above a New York City bus stop as I was in seminary. In… Continue reading

Somewhere along the way, I stumbled upon Abbey of the Arts.  Sometime later, I subscribed an e-newsletter from this blogger.  These emails always seem to arrive when I need them.  They poke at my own spiritual journey.  They expose that… Continue reading

Since nearly the beginning of my ministry at the First Congregational Church United Church of Christ in South Portland, Maine, I’ve shared my thoughts with the wider internet congregation at Beautiful Beacon. (This blog has now been deleted.)  I have… Continue reading