The Jot and Tittle of Ginny Mikita’s Situation

September 5, 2015.Reading time 13 minutes.

This week, the United Methodist world has been up in arms at the treatment of Ginny Mikita. Mikita, a lay woman from a church in Michigan, has been summarily removed from church membership by her annual conference authorities, because she obtained an online ordination for the purpose of presiding at the same sex wedding of […]

When Anyone Is More Free, Everybody Wins

July 4, 2015.Reading time 6 minutes.

It’s been years since I felt quite this patriotic on the 4th of July. It’s been years since the arc of American history has bent quite so dramatically toward justice. All week, I’ve had the old Jesus Jones song running through my brain: Last Sunday in church, we recognized George and Jack as the first […]

Dear American Christians (Part Two)

July 1, 2015.Reading time 9 minutes.

Dear American Christians, I wrote you earlier this year about much the same thing I will say today. And, in truth, I’m not really speaking to all American Christians. Just those who believe they are being persecuted for their faith. Primarily, White Evangelical Protestants. A poll in 2014 show that you, White Evangelical Protestants, believe […]

Dear UM Moderates: What We Need To Hear You Say

June 30, 2015.Reading time 5 minutes.

Dear United Methodist Moderates: I call you to publicly support the civil marriage rights of gay and lesbian persons, and to implore our civil servants to support the constitution. Whatever your personal/theological views of same sex marriage in the Church, please know and remember that the UMC has a strong statement supporting the Civil Rights […]

The Journey’s Never Over

June 27, 2015.Reading time 6 minutes.

There are few days where you absolutely know that you are a witness to history. Yesterday was one of those days. And this morning –almost 24-hours to the minute after our dear friends and church members, George Harris and Jack Evans became Dallas County’s first legally married same sex couple– it still seems completely surreal. […]

My Remarks at the Same Sex Marriage Press Conference

April 29, 2015.Reading time 4 minutes.

I stand here today as a Christian minister in full support of same sex marriage. The vast majority of members in our congregation are also strong supporters of same sex marriage. It is time for the courts to do the right thing. It is time for no further delay. Same sex partners deserve the right […]

Bake for them two

April 6, 2015.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Originally posted on Ten Thousand Places:
In Jesus’ time, the nation of Israel was under Roman rule. The Israelites were allowed to live there and practice their faith for the most part, but they had to pay taxes to Caesar and obey the Roman laws. To the Israelites, the Romans were evil and ungodly. They…

Dear American Christians

April 3, 2015.Reading time 5 minutes.

Dear American Christians, You need to get a grip, and I am tired of speaking to you politely. You are not being persecuted by being required to serve all customers in your store. If you serve all people in your store, you are simply being American. As a fellow Christian, I can assure you, your […]

Video from Faith Advocacy Day in Austin

March 5, 2015.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Thanks to Texas Freedom Network for video of my remarks at the State Capitol a few weeks back. Take a look here… Here’s the full transcript. If you’re interested in joining this new coalition, sign up at TexasBelieves.org.

Who Is Really Insane?

November 19, 2014.Reading time 2 minutes.

The more I meditate on it, the more completely insane it seems that Charles Manson has been issued a marriage license. Soon, if reports are to be believed, he’ll be legally married in California. A marriage that would be recognized by my home state of Texas. Meanwhile, the 15 to 20 legally married same-sex couples […]