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“Clem,” Lesslie and J.R.W.: Examples to the Flock

In a congregation with a group of clergy recently, I said something I say often: “We (pastors) lead with our lives.” Our culture places much emphasis on competence and skill. Please, God, let us clergy show competence!  But, let us

Stephen Rankin April 24, 2015April 24, 2015 Christian Life, General, Ministry, The Church 1 Comment Read more

Epistemic Humility and the Force of Ideas

Off and on (mostly on, I suppose), I think about the clash of ideas that takes place between people when talking about religion.  In “educated” (I use this word advisedly) middle class America, there is an informal moral principle at

Stephen Rankin January 6, 2010 General, Religion 1 Comment Read more

From One Heart to Another

In 2 Corinthians, Paul is put in the position of defending his ministry.  “Are we beginning to commend ourselves?” he asks the Corinthians.  “You are our letters [of commendation],” he reminds them.  Paul’s “defense” of the authenticity of his work

Stephen Rankin May 28, 2009 Ministry, Religion, The Church, United Methodism No Comments Read more

“Have to” Questions, “How Do You Know” Questions

I’m helping to teach a class that affords me opportunity to interact with college students about spirituality. In such venues two sets of questions alway arise. I’m thinking about the unhelpful ways we in the ministry often answer them I

Stephen Rankin April 2, 2009 Christian Life, Doctrine/Theology, Higher and Theological Education, Ministry, Religion 2 Comments Read more

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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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