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The Journey of Writing a Chapter for “Honor, Shame, and the Gospel”
At last! “Honor, Shame and the Gospel” is now available. You can buy it here: from the publisher or from Amazon. I am honored to have a chapter included in the book and excited at the range of endorsements from across multiple disciplines. To describe what the book is about and why it was written, let…
Read MorePentecost – Solidarity
I often am asked what’s going on here in San Francisco regarding the pandemic and riots. For that I encourage you to listen to these words from two colleagues of mine, Kirk Davis (starting around minute :13) and Tim Svoboda, who directs Youth With a Mission in SF’s Tenderloin neighborhood. I’ve spent years meeting, praying,…
Read MoreBoth in Heaven; Why not here on earth?
So far, two people who have had an impact on my life passed away during this world-changing COVID-19 pandemic. I’ve been a part of both of their communities, but never at the same time because I’ve not found a space where BOTH these two men would be welcomed and fellowshipping together here on earth, not the…
Read MoreWhy I kissed “Evangelistic Programs” Goodbye
My church signed onto this program in the early 2000’s when it was fairly new. Like many evangelical churches, we “wanted to reach the lost” and thus ordered it for our church because of its promise to equip Christians to confidently lead anyone to repentance. And with a name like “The Way…” who would not…
Read MoreAbout Art, Storytelling, and Entropy
I love that San Francisco has ample spaces to dive into conversations of depth with complete strangers. Its parklets, small locally-owned coffee shops, and walkable neighborhoods invite such interactions. In one such recent conversation, a stranger turned friend and I quickly got into sharing some of our passions around our respective storytelling initiatives. I say that…
Read MoreWork as Worship
This art installation was simply called “Work.” If you could see this art installation up close, especially the table, you’d see a timeline of my various vocations through the years. I’ve worked in theaters, Radio Shack, as an electrical engineer, and more. Most of you know I’ve also spent a lot of years in Christian…
Read MoreThe Book I’ve Waited over 20 Years to be Written
A Book Review of “Ministering in Honor-Shame Cultures” by Jayson Georges and Mark Baker The “Dark Ages” of Ministry for me in the 1990’s Where was this book when I needed it over twenty years ago? At the time, I and ministry colleagues who were called to reach Asian, Latino, and African-American students … Continue reading The Book I’ve Waited over 20 Years to be Written
Read MoreStepping into the Transitions of Others
Difficulties, illnesses, graduations, moving, a new position, leaving a career…Life is full of transitions. They can often be stressful but also awakening. Unfortunately, transitions caused by massacres like the Orlando one are increasing in number. Obama’s administration alone has had to address 15 such massacres. Transitions are happening on every level, from personal to national…
Read MoreUnitarian Universalists visit my Christian church
“We learned a lot about your faith and we greatly appreciate the discussion we had with your youth” What a blessing to have a students, parents, and a teacher from the San Francisco First Unitarian Universalist Church (UUC) join our worship service. Not only did they witness our main service, they also participated…
Read MoreGetting out of the “Leave it to Beaver” age of Evangelism
Back in the old summer days of my childhood, I had ample time to watch old reruns and “Leave It to Beaver” was the most memorable of them. The show provided me a glimpse into a time capsule from another age and time. It was so interestingly foreign and anachronistic. Everyone had a mom, a…
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