Originally posted on Mitchell Lewis:
The Trust Clause in the Church Law The United Methodist Church has a trust clause requirement that dates back to the days of John Wesley. The Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States formally adopted the “model deed” in 1797. In current church law, the basic principles are set forth…
The corporeal is for people with disabilities the most real. Unwilling and unable to take our bodies for granted, we attend to the kinesis of knowledge. That is, we become keenly aware that our physical selves determine our perceptions of the social and physical world. These perceptions, like our bodies, are often nonconforming and disclose new categories and models of thinking…
I have to admit something: I have stopped reading comments on sites where my work is re-blogged. On this blog [and its predecessor], folks are generally respectful and engage in helpful dialogue. I really appreciate that. We’ve had some real disagreement without getting personal. Out there in the wild west of the blogosphere, though, it…
Lots of people are talking about schism in the UMC. I’m one of them. I don’t want a schism, but I recognize that one may be inevitable. Is it possible, though, that United Methodists could separate into two denominations without constituting a schism? There have been many schisms, separations, and splinters in the history of…
Well, I’ve moved. I hope you like the new site. If you’d like to subscribe to it, you can do so by going to http://www.davidfwatson.me/subscribe. Enjoy!
March 21 (3/21) is World Down Syndrome Day. This date was not chosen at random. Rather, it represents the fact that, while most people have 46 pairs of chromosomes, some people have a third copy on the twenty-first chromosome. This third copy causes Down Syndrome, also known as Trisomy 21. Some other facts: It’s not “Down’s…
That’s why I don’t believe that dividing the church is a good idea. Here are some biblical passages that underscore the importance of unity in the church: John 17:20-23 ‘I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all…
After publishing some thoughts this morning on Adam Hamilton’s recent post, “Homosexuality, the Bible, and the United Methodist Church,” I received a note from Rev. Hamilton. (Apparently he had tried to leave a comment, but they didn’t come through. C’mon, Blogger! Don’t make me switch to WordPress!) He offered this gracious response to my comments. I…
Look, I really admire Adam Hamilton. He has led thousands of people to Christ and provided invaluable leadership in the UMC. His church has launched incredible ministries. He’s an amazing person, and I have no doubt that he is utterly committed to serving Christ. Rev. Hamilton recently published a blog post called “Homosexuality, the Bible,…
Let me be clear: I think honest conversation is righteous and healthy—even indispensable—within the Body of Christ. One of our goals at United is to help students have real conversations with people with whom they disagree. Part of our problem in the UMC is that political posturing has replaced intellectual virtue, and when that happens, the road…
Pursuing Jesus
These are the thoughts, prayers, stories, sermons, and devotions from a simple pastor. May you be blessed by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as you read...
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Reflections from Jacob J. Prahlow
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Who is my ideal reader? Well, ideal means non-existent. I have no notion of whom I’m writing for. Guy Davenport
'An arrow through the air' - Notes of a Methodist pastor
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two of us are tall and the other one of us is short and has Down syndrome
Comments on the New Testament and Early Christianity (and related matters)
David F. Watson 