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ruminations, fulminations, and cogitations on the spiritual life

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Emerging adults

Concerns and Hopes for the College Student Experience

I had the most enjoyable privilege of participating in a panel discussion on the gospel and the university campus, sponsored by The Living Church Institute.  It gave me the opportunity to interact with a group of practitioners who had very

Stephen Rankin January 14, 2019January 14, 2019 Christian Life, College Ministry, Emerging adults, Higher and Theological Education, Religion No Comments Read more

What We Would Still Face if United Methodism Holds

The Council of Bishops have gathered in Dallas for the latest round of discussions about United Methodism’s future.  We eagerly and anxiously await a word.  Many United Methodist are praying for wisdom for our leaders, for good outcomes, for unity.

Stephen Rankin February 27, 2018 Christian Life, Doctrine/Theology, Emerging adults, Ministry, Preaching/Teaching, Religion, The Church, United Methodism 3 Comments Read more

Real Freedom for Our Young

In the 4th chapter of the Gospel of Luke, Jesus announces in his home town that, “today,” the words of the prophet Isaiah have been fulfilled.  “To let the oppressed go free” is part of that proclamation. The first act

Stephen Rankin June 21, 2017June 21, 2017 Emerging adults, Religion 1 Comment Read more

“What Young People Think”

As mainline Protestant churches age and decline in membership, concern for “what young people think” has become a common reference point in opinions about how the church should change.  In my own United Methodist denomination, with our fight-to-the-death controversies especially

Stephen Rankin June 13, 2017 College Ministry, Emerging adults, Religion, The Church, United Methodism 4 Comments Read more

Winning Strength Out of Weakness

(I preached the following sermon at the annual Lifewatch Service [lifewatch.org] yesterday in Simpson Chapel in the United Methodist Building in Washington, DC.  It is based on the scripture text, Hebrews 11:32-28.)   The Apostle Paul, in the fourth chapter

Stephen Rankin January 28, 2017 Christian Life, Emerging adults, Ministry, The Church, United Methodism No Comments Read more
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Categories

  • Book Reviews
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  • Emerging adults
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  • Higher and Theological Education
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Meet Steve

I serve as Executive Director of the Spiritual Maturity Project, a ministry some of us have recently started.  For 25 years I worked in higher education as a professor and chaplain and before that as a pastor.  I love to help people grapple with big and basic questions to grow into real ,grown-up Christian discipleship.

I ruminate on all manner of theological, biblical, historical, and cultural topics. I believe followers of Jesus need to be more like members of Issachar’s tribe, able to read the times. Read more

 

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