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Why I'm Cynical About Politics
Today is MLK, Jr. Day. This quote (which is often misquoted) is the most poignant of his quotes: "In the end we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." (from "The...
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Inventing/Re-Inventing/ReRe-Inventing Orthodoxy: It's Like Deja Vu All Over...
My beloved United Methodist Church finds itself at a "place" that many other Christian movements, denominations, etc., have found itself at sometime or another (or even before): where shall we draw the...
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New Staff Roles - Being Church In a Rapidly-Changing World
Beloved Jackson First UMC folks:The Lord be with you.I am sure the staffing changes at the church are filtering down to Sunday school classes, coffee shops, golf foursomes, and other groups across the...
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REPOST: Politics, Faith, and Vacuum
(Note: this is an article I wrote in February of 2017. As the sermon this week is about hope, I think this article is just as apropos today as it was last year. We have a plenteous mission field in...
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Passion, Position, and Possible
Three things to make clear at the beginning:Passion is good. We should have a burning passion for God and God's people.Position. Knowing what we believe and proclaim is faithful.Possible. With God all...
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America At Its Best
I will have to confess that I am usually a political cynic at heart. I was relieved when I moved back to Tennessee after 18 years and didn’t have to choose a political affiliation, where election...
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Logistics of General Conference 2019 - Making Sure It Works
Much has been said, written, and continues to be debated regarding the called session of General Conference 2019, The Way Forward, and the threefour several Plans being advocated. I won't add to the...
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One Sentence Can Split a Church, If You Let It
I said the above words in a sermon several Sundays ago, referring to a sentence in the Nicene Creed. I guess I should have gone into more detail, as several folks have called/texted/emailed me,...
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The Problem of Labels, Assumptions, and the Economy of the Whole
Last week I changed my Facebook cover photo to display the phrase, “When you label me, you negate me,” (a quote attributed to Kierkegaard, which can be vaguely supported). Like all grand sweeping...
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Put Not Your Trust in Credentials
I recently saw a title for a book review, "Put Not Your Trust in Credentials." It makes me think of one of the most insidious prejudices among United Methodists pastors (that I am convinced one day we...
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The UMC: Single-Issue Driven, Bad at Math, and War Weary
My beloved denomination is getting ready to wage war again for General Conference 2020. Submission for proposed legislation is due on September 18th. I'm not a delegate and I am not submitting any...
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Some Social Media Guides
Some social media guidelines:Don't believe everything you read on the Internet just because there's a picture next to a quote. Vet and verify. Progressives and conservatives alike post "fake news" and...
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It's About Jesus, Or It's Nothing
The latest Pew Research Center report on the decline of Christianity in the U.S. came out last week, noting that the decline is continuing at a rapid pace. A good article on the report can be found...
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Christians: Take a Season Off from Politics - We Don't Do It Well.
To be clear: yes, Christians should be concerned and involved IN the world. The trick – and our call – is not to be OF the world. The πολιτικό σώμα, the body politic, is certainly a part of our lives....
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Those Pesky People In the Pews, or, Facts Are Inconvenient Things
This blog builds upon a former blog, “The Problem of Labels, Assumptions, and the Economy of the Whole,” which can be found by clicking here.As a former United Methodist General Conference delegate and...
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When… and How… to Resume Church Services
A worshiper at Westminster Cathedral. (ANSA)Note: This is a transcript of a video recorded yesterday on our church website.Hello, my name is Sky McCracken, and I am the senior pastor of First Methodist...
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Lamentation
Every generation has its crisis(es) moment(s). Throughout history, people have lamented that “it’s never been as bad as this.” I found an article that a Robert Wilson wrote in his column, “From Bob's...
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Time for a Hard Reset Regarding Ordination
What I write is nothing new for the 3-4 folks who read what I write. But today it’s been ramped up a notch as being a class and justice issue. United Methodist’s theology of ordination and practice of...
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The Biggest Shift for United Methodism
The lobbying, posturing, passionate speeches, and theological/doctrinal infighting for the past fifty years in the United Methodist Church regarding sexuality and a few other issues may have all been...
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Christian: What To Do About Election Day
When I was a sports official and assigned as the “crew chief” for a game, I would always tell my partners this: “After this game, a lot of folks are going to be happy, and a lot of folks are going to...
View ArticleI’m Getting Older - Lament
I’m getting older. It’s not just a biological fact, it’s starting to show – inside and out. Those that haven’t seen me in a while say, “Your hair’s all white!” I wear contact lenses sometimes but I...
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Lies, Damned Lies, and Gossip
The stress came off of me like a snake shedding its skin. I hopped on the connecting flight going from Boston to Dublin. Picked up a rental car and drove to the Dingle peninsula (Aer Lingus no longer...
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Baptismal Vows? Obviously Optional.
We live in a country now ruled by tribalism. We are not ruled by a republic, we are not ruled by any specific religious belief: we are ruled by tribalism. We are guided by individualism, which runs...
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Living in a Post-Denominational World
You’ve probably heard the word postmodern. While I could give you a definition, it probably wouldn’t do us much good because I believe we are now living in a POST postmodern world. Some call it...
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Recent Events Regarding UMC Church Disaffiliations
First Methodist Downtown Jackson Friends: It has always been my intent to be as transparent as possible regarding local church and denominational matters at our church. I have also always wanted you to...
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