Great Emergence-y or Great Emergence?

Great Emergence-y or Great Emergence?

Back in 2008 – which seems like a lifetime ago – journalist and editor Phyllis Tickle published a book called The Great Emergence: How Christianity is Changing and Why. In her book – which I and others have referenced in sermons and other...
Half-Staff or Upside Down?

Half-Staff or Upside Down?

Photo: The US flag at BPC this past week. An e-mail will usually come to Michelle Jones in the church office, saying, “The governor of New Hampshire requests that all US flags be put at half-staff in memory of. . .” This past week, the request came through...
Building the Kingdom

Building the Kingdom

Last weekend, when our congregation celebrated John Robinson’s 100th birthday, there was a big group of people out in Los Angeles celebrating the 90th birthday of Willie Nelson. I have never been a huge country music fan but I was born in Nashville, Tennessee. I...
The First Centennial

The First Centennial

In the Bible, there are some people who live for a very long time.  Methuselah is not a major character in the Book of Genesis, but we are told in Genesis 5:21-27 that Methuselah lived 969 years.  That’s quite a life!  Of course, back in those days, I’m...
Earth Day Reflections

Earth Day Reflections

Every year – on or around Earth Day – I get a call from my friend Ryan. Ryan is a successful professional, a few years younger than I am. Many years ago, Ryan and I attended an Earth Day concert in our hometown of Macon, Georgia. The concert was down by...