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
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
John Wesley begins the concluding paragraph of his third discourse on the Sermon on the Mount in this way: “Behold Christianity in its native form; as delivered by its great Author! This is the genuine religion of Jesus Christ.” When
Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians has been holding me for weeks. I’ve blogged already about Paul’s vulnerable, transparent witness: “You are our letters of commendation,” he says to the Corinthians (chapter 3). Paul has no structural, organizational props for
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
The Thursday before Easter I presided at a funeral of a man I did not really know. I had presided over his grandson’s funeral several years ago. I then had his daughter’s funeral (the mother of the boy who had