The sign at the corner of Gillam Avenue and Bellevue always announces the week’s sermon title, so this week it proclaims, “The Sex Thing.” Since sex sells, I wonder if that will be enough to get some curiosity seekers into worship this Sunday. They probably will be disappointed if they come. In fact, the sermon title is a bit of false advertizing. A more accurate title might have been “The Marriage Thing,” but then the curiosity seeker might have come expecting some gay-bashing or a seven-steps-to-a-happy-home seminar, neither of which will be offered on Sunday.

Though it wouldn’t fit on the signboard, the topic for Sunday’s sermon is “how Jesus’ righteous expectations for sex and marriage far exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees in these matters, and, yes, get real, he thinks they are realistic standards for Twenty-first Century Christians.” Continue reading →

Our denomination’s new Form of Government takes effect on Sunday.  For most of us this news is about as exciting as hearing that your dentist’s new billing software goes online next Tuesday.  In fact, there may be more to like about your dentist’s new billing software.

I have made no secret of my unhappiness with the new Form of Government, nFOG.  From the bland universalism of its foundational statements to the trendy vacuity of its radical inclusivity, from its anxiety about bureaucratic control to its abdication of responsibility for any ordination standards, there’s a lot I don’t like about the new Form of Government. The best case scenario for nFOG is that it will impact the life of our congregation about as much as my dentist’s new billing software impacts the life of my family. I hope we don’t notice it. Continue reading →

The Pursuit of Happiness and the Banning of Babies

It’s one of those slow news day stories.  Malaysian Airlines recently reaffirmed its policy of banning babies from its first class cabins and some intrepid reporter tried to create a controversy by telling the story. Turns out, though, that there’s little controversy.  The L.A. Times was one of several news sites to conduct one of those unofficial polls, and about 80% of us agree with the Malaysian Airlines policy. Continue reading →

Good Works Matter

Thirty-six LPC youth and their adult leaders will leave tomorrow for a week in New Orleans.  They go as members of this year’s youth work camp team. Their job will be to add their energy, strength, skills, caring and love to the ongoing efforts to rebuild the city in the aftermath of the destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina almost six years ago.  Plus daily devotionals,worship and great fellowship. Continue reading →

Honoring Fatherhood

According to those who keep track of such things, we seem to love our mothers just a little more than our dads.  At least if the cost of a present is any indication of the level of love (but, of course, it isn’t).  This past Mother’s Day the average mom had $140 spend on her while it is expected that the average dad will have $106 spent on him this coming Father’s Day. You can read more here.

I’m all for celebrating our dads, but memo to my kids: you don’t need to spend $106 to tell me you love me. I already know it and cannot begin to describe what an amazing gift your presence in my life is. Thanks, I’ve received my Father’s Day gift and I love it. Continue reading →