It’s Time. (Past Time, Really)

April 13, 2016.Reading time 13 minutes.

Dear General Conference Delegates From Around the World, I’m writing you today about issues of LGBTQ inclusion, which will be before you at General Conference in Portland. My message to you is not just that “It’s Time,” but that “It’s Past Time.” The Clock Has Stopped. You Can Restart It. My first message is that […]

It’s Not Our Tent

May 9, 2014.Reading time 2 minutes.

This was the devotional at our Staff Parish Committee Meeting last night, offered by one of our great layfolks. An important word for all of us in the UMC, where ever we come down on the issue of “inclusion.” The word is: “It’s not our tent.” (Underlining by me.) “ The desire to learn […]

Troubled Times

April 9, 2014.Reading time 6 minutes.

Somehow, I missed the big news yesterday that sixty conservative UM clergy had a conference call, the purpose of which was to discuss separation of the denomination. I first found out about it via my friend, Christy Thomas, and her excellent blog this morning. While I wince at her use of “inquisition” here. (We’re nowhere […]

Live and Let Live Can Work

February 28, 2014.Reading time 17 minutes.

Dear Big Middle*, Sorry it’s been several weeks since my last installment of “Dear Big Middle” blogs. We’ve had a lot going on around here. These “Dear Big Middle” blogs are designed to speak to the large number of “moderate” United Methodists on specific same sex marriage issues. And the reason I have been delayed […]

Dear Big Middle

January 24, 2014.Reading time 6 minutes.

Dear Big Middle,* Today I start a series of short blog entries, aimed at The Big Middle of the United Methodist Church. “Big Middle” is a term of endearment. Many people believe you Big Middlites actually hold the key to our being able to move forward on the issue of same sex marriage. I agree […]

Northaven’s Steps Toward Same Sex Marriage

January 19, 2014.Reading time 10 minutes.

This morning at Northaven Church, our Emeritus Pastor, Rev. Bill McElvaney, announced his intention to perform same sex weddings. Bill has led our church, our city, and helped lead our denomination, for forty years. He continues to lead us now. The people of Northaven gave him a five-minute standing ovation at the conclusion of his […]

Rev. Bill McElvaney Intends to Perform Same Sex Weddings

January 19, 2014.Reading time 8 minutes.

As a part of the “Follow Your Heartbreak” series at Northaven Church this morning, Rev. Bill McElvaney has announced his intention to preside at same sex weddings. The full text of this remarks is below. Rev. McElvaney is a retired United Methodist Elder, and emeritus pastor of Northaven Church. In addition to a successful pastoral […]