When I went to Oxford college my intention was to prepare to become a pharmacist. During the summer of my sophomore year, I was called to ordained ministry. The opportunity to help in social healing and pastoral care I witnessed across the counter at Connely’s Drugs; this was my true passion. (I wish I had… Read More Back to School: Reflections on Learning Important Tools and Rules
I had always wanted to deliver a sermon based on the first verse of the eighth chapter of the Revelation to John. “When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.” [NRSV] Upon reading this verse to follow I might ask the congregation to keep a time of… Read More Calm Before the Storm
In every generation, the faithful ask the question and declare the Good News, Christ will return! Do you thing it will be in our lifetime? As a United Methodist clergy, it seems we are informally taught to be suspect concerning specificity about the return of Christ. No, I didn’t have a class in how to… Read More He is Coming with the Clouds
United Methodists have always valued education. In formative leaders in the Sunday school movement, to educating clergy, to the founding of seminaries, colleges, and others school the church has been committed to maturing and expanding the minds God has entrusted us with. Beginning with preschool, children, youth through adults, curriculum has been the heart of… Read More
“Are We There Yet: A Lenten Journey”, Rev. Dr. John T Brantley, Buckeye Creek Press ISBN: 978-0-9845219-0-6 51000 (posted with Author’s permission, with all copyright protection remaining. Are We There Yet? A Lenten Journey Copyright © 2011 by Buckeye Creek Press, Georgia All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted… Read More Are We There Yet: A Lenten Journey
So we steady the course in prayer, real heart prayers. For all our delegates, for those trying to stage and manipulate on both sides of the debates, for those watching on in what feels helpless anticipation, and the world ready to judge either outcome. Pray for God to speak and show up with boldness and clarity. Pray for Jesus to offer the power of salvation for sinners. Pray for the Holy Spirit to be our power and guide and not Robert’s Rules and procedures of politics. Lord make it so! Amen. … Read More Watch the paint dry..
As a reminder our follow-up Difficult Conversation workshop will be November 11 at 4:30 PM. This workshop is for every member. See you and your neighbors at the Spring! This heart of this workshop is to learn how to listen and share our faith through difficult conversations. This is a workshop for those who want… Read More The Lost Art of Compassionate Listening
The United Methodist is struggling to deal with a request to mature. In some cases, we become aware of our maturity when we hold fast to our core values and stay grounded in the face of tsunamis. In other situations, we mature by tearing the muscle tissues and expanding our spiritual muscles. As Clergy, we… Read More Why Change?
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!” [NRSV: Luke 13:34]… Read More A Mother’s Hope and a Mother Fear
One of the great criticisms of the church these days is that those on the ‘inside’ are as mean, nasty and hypocritical as those on the ‘outside’ of the church. The immediate response is to remind each of of a few things. The church is a places for sinners. Jesus loves us while were lost… Read More When Sweet People Act Bitterly
