The mission of The United Methodist Church is to make disciplines of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Ok. So far, so good. One would expect, then, the public website of the UMC to serve this end of making disciples. As I look at the UMC.org website, though, I see the following: A…

I spend a lot of time writing about the UMC. Much of what I say is critical, I admit it. I want to be clear, though: this is critique from within. It is critique derived from a deep love of the UMC and a desire to see us become the most effective we can possibly…

I came across this video of D. A. Carson explaining how the Christian canon came to take the shape that it did. While I might quibble with a few points, I think his explanation is quite helpful and historically accurate. I hope you find it beneficial. 

You may have read the recent story in UMC news about the 24-hour suspension (without pay) of two pastors who performed gay weddings.  Critics of this decision will argue that the penalty in this case is so light as to embolden others to follow suit in disobedience to the Discipline. It seems likely that this…

Apparently, yes. Check out this video:  You can learn more about this remarkable young man here: http://www.garrettsfight.org/

One of the most important concepts of the disabilities movement is that people with disabilities should be at the “speaking center” of the conversation. In other words, it is crucial that people with disabilities speak for themselves and take the primary role in defining the conversations and various agendas that will affect them. Unfortunately, this can…

I couldn’t watch it.  I just couldn’t do it. Those of you who did watch it… I know you had your reasons. I respect that. I’m not criticizing anyone here.  It’s just that, after so many years of watching fruitless debates in the church, I may be constitutionally incapable of watching Bill Nye the Science…

There are many people who don’t identify as progressive andwho don’t read the Bible like “fundamentalists.” (Actually, fundamentalism as a movement has to do with a lot more than a way of reading the Bible, but that’s neither here nor there. If you want to learn more about this matter, though, check out this article.)…

Many Christians wish to be more inclusive of people with disabilities, but the “how to” can at times seem complicated, even daunting. Check out this short article on Seedbed on planning church events with special needs in mind. It’s written by Chris Roberts, Director of Special Needs at Woodlands UMC. 

If you read this blog very much, you may have noticed that I blog on issues related to disability a great deal. This topic is close to my heart because I have a seven-year-old son named Sean who has Down Syndrome. We also have another son, Luke, who is eleven. My wife and I have…