2020 General Conference held in Charlotte from April 23 to May 3 under the theme of ‘Know that I am God’ brought an end to all the debates on ordination of self -avowed homosexual persons. The conference itself had an ambiguous name from the start. It was named the "2020 General Conference" while it met [...]
I've been thinking a lot lately about how I want to live the rest of my life. I want to live well. I still feel like I'm doing okay as a pastor, and there doesn't seem to be any major obstacles. Of course, compared to when I was in my 40s or 50s, I may [...]
It’s been exactly 40 years since Bishop Jesse DeWitt of the Northern Illinois Conference laid his hands on me and said, “Take thou authority!” Then after a few years after that day of ordination, I had to deliver a sermon on the opening day of the Annual Conference. Seeing me all nervous before standing in [...]
This week we commemorated Memorial Day, honoring the sacrifice of all fallen heroes who died in service during American wars. Memorial Day services are particularly big in the South. Back in Atlanta, I saw churches annually place countless small American flags on their property to remember those who have given their lives to protect the [...]
Today is Pentecost Sunday. “There shall be showers of blessing: This is the promise of love/There shall be seasons refreshing, sent from the Savior above/ Showers of blessing, showers of blessing we need/ Mercy-drops round us are falling, but for the showers we plead” (Hymn by D. W. Whittle, 1883). One hope that we frequently [...]
The California-Pacific Conference held a special service for Ordination and Commissioning at Christ UMC of Hawaii on May 16, and there was a protest against Bishop Hagiya’s decision not to reappoint the senior pastors of three large Korean UM congregations – Rev. Jonathan Lee, Rev. Nakin Kim, Rev. Jaeduk Lew. A similar issue has caused [...]
May is the month we celebrate family love but it’s graduation season too. Over the past year, my family welcomed first grandson; and this month, my son finally graduated from law school after taking a long detour in search of vocation. Amidst the hustle and bustle of a busy life, you realize time is passing [...]
It’s the Family Month of May and we are reminded, once again, how the Bible prescribes to us a family life of mutual love and respect. Children are called to obey and honor parents even into their old age, while parents are not to frustrate or provoke children to anger. One thing that I’m thankful [...]
Jesus said to Thomas, “Stop doubting and believe.” (John 20:27) The term “doubting Thomas” is almost used synonymously with a skeptic. But not all skepticism is equal. Inquiring mind and critical thinking gave rise to progress in philosophy and sciences. In homiletics, preachers are trained ‘hermeneutics of suspicion,’ the practice of reading Biblical texts against [...]
Both my grandfather and father were pastors, and I am a cradle Christian, but it was at the seminary that I came to understand what it really means to believe in Jesus Christ. As a kid, church was my playground and during tender teenage years, it was really the central stage of my life. After [...]