Skip to content

Rankin File

ruminations, fulminations, and cogitations on the spiritual life

Menu

  • Home
  • Publications
  • Speaking
  • Audio / Video
  • Book Reviews
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Feed
Rankin File

United Methodist

The United Methodist Church is Imploding

(Continuing thoughts on trends.) I just finished teaching in the certification class at Perkins School of Youth Ministry (http://www.smu.edu/Perkins/PublicPrograms/PSYM%202013).  To the whole group last Monday and to the class members throughout the week, I said several hard things about the

Stephen Rankin January 19, 2013January 19, 2013 Emerging adults, Ministry, Religion, The Church, United Methodism 16 Comments Read more

The Clumsiness of Categories

The Clumsiness of Categories

Today, I worry about  sounding downright ungenerous and small-souled.  Even more, I worry because the topic I’m about to join cuts a little too close to the bone for me personally.  I’m going to try to use parts of my

Stephen Rankin June 7, 2012July 5, 2012 Christian Life, Emerging adults, Ministry, Religion, The Church, United Methodism No Comments Read more

Should GC Delegates Have to Demonstrate Theological Qualifications Beforehand?

Should GC Delegates Have to Demonstrate Theological Qualifications Beforehand?

People who seek to become naturalized citizens of the United States must pass a test to qualify for the privilege of reciting the citizenship oath.  And it’s an oral test (see http://www.uscis.gov).  No guessing on multiple choice questions. Still worrying about

Stephen Rankin May 16, 2012July 5, 2012 Doctrine/Theology, Religion, The Church, United Methodism 2 Comments Read more

Sex Talk at General Conference

This is the week at General Conference when things start to get really hot, as the controversial votes come to the floor of plenary session.  The topic of homosexuality will grab the headlines again and, though I understand why, I

Stephen Rankin April 30, 2012 Religion 9 Comments Read more

Perhaps to Clear Some Confusion: Sanctification, Christian Perfection, Legalism and Perfectionism

I am having a blast teaching United Methodist Doctrine to a group of theology school students.  I’ve been out of the classroom for a year, so it feels good to get back in there. Yesterday, we covered that part of

Stephen Rankin July 1, 2010 Christian Life, Doctrine/Theology, Ministry, Religion No Comments Read more
  • « Previous

Archives

Categories

  • Book Reviews
  • Christian Life
  • College Ministry
  • Doctrine/Theology
  • Emerging adults
  • General
  • Higher and Theological Education
  • Ministry
  • Preaching/Teaching
  • Religion
  • The Church
  • Uncategorized
  • United Methodism
  • youth ministry

Recent Comments

  • Stephen Rankin on The Troubling Use of “Information”
  • Corine Willilams on The Troubling Use of “Information”
  • North Texas Congregant on A Bishop Reinstated
  • Carylon Flax on Boundary Questions Refuse to Go Away
  • Danny Blue on Dogma as Drama – Thank You, Dorothy Sayers

Categories

  • Book Reviews
  • Christian Life
  • College Ministry
  • Doctrine/Theology
  • Emerging adults
  • General
  • Higher and Theological Education
  • Ministry
  • Preaching/Teaching
  • Religion
  • The Church
  • Uncategorized
  • United Methodism
  • youth ministry

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

 

Tags

Adam Hamilton Bible bishops Book of Discipline Christian Smith Christian witness Christmas Civil Rights college students congregations Constitutional Amendments discipleship doctrine Easter Emergent Christianity Emerging adults evangelism Faith General Conference God higher education homosexuality incarnation Jesus John Wesley Jr. Judicial Council Kathleen Garces-Foley leadership love Martin Luther King nones pro-life Religion resurrection sexuality spirituality spiritual maturity theology Tim Clydesdale United Methodist United Methodist Church United Methodists United States Witness
Copyright © 2025 Rankin File. All rights reserved. Theme Spacious by ThemeGrill. Powered by: WordPress.
  • Home
  • Publications
  • Speaking
  • Audio / Video
  • Book Reviews
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Feed