Last week the black church world was in yet another uproar due to Facebook Live. In this installment, infamous gospel, Leandria Johnson goes on a smoke filled rant that included some content worthy of a Parental Advisement sticker. She goes in on the ecclesiastical establishment about hypocrisy, elitism, and the damage it causes people; punctuating … Continue reading Johnson vs The Church: 5 Things About Church Respectability Politics
The pervasive concept of "us vs. them" is the basis of racism, classism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, and in the words of Pastor Shirley Caesar, YOU NAME IT! While it can be fun to participate in simple sports rivalries, or debate who's greek organization is the best, the hurtful nature of exclusivity does far more damage … Continue reading Us VS Them
There is this notion that "respect must be earned." I've heard this all of my life and have pretty much always fallen in line with that thinking. However, the older I get the more I realize that this is NOT the way things should be. The english language is tricky because we tend to use … Continue reading Who Are You? (The Respect Fallacy)
https://youtu.be/6vr9a46ZZ18 God is an infinite and all powerful being. He is far too big and complex for any mind to fully understand, so it would be arrogant of anyone, including me, to say they know the mind of God. We cannot fully comprehend Him, we can only know what God has revealed. Here is … Continue reading Two Occasions
I haven't completely figured out the official cutoffs, but it's generally accepted that I am a late Generation X'er. There are many things that differentiate us from other generations but I believe one of the greatest differences is that we are a passion driven generation. Before us, the Baby Boomers and the Silent Generations were … Continue reading Passion & Purpose
People come and people go; that's just the way life works. We are living in a generation that is slowly getting back to understanding the power of connection. Yes we have personal responsibility, but we are also better together. With this longing for relationship and the fulfillment that comes from them, there is also the … Continue reading Maybe It’s YOU!
I work with elementary school kids, first through fourth grade. At these ages kids aren't just learning their ABC's and 123's, but they are also learning social behaviors and how exist outside of the world that they know: which is home. Their immaturity is evident in their behavior, which is routinely excused with these words: … Continue reading Social Media Maturity
The three words I have often uttered to describe where I am in my ministerial career: "ministry is hard". Lately, I'm coming to learn that these words may actually be "full of it". While it is true, for me at least, the ministry was not a career move. I never chose ministry: ministry chose me. … Continue reading Two Things That Make Ministry Hard
So .... Twitter has announced that, effective immediately, they are expanding their character limits by two times. In other words, instead of a 140 characters limit, it has been bumped up to 280 characters. I must admit, as a content creator I LOVE this new expanded freedom! There are thoughts I want to share, but … Continue reading Character: More or Less
Last month, I shared a sermon series about generosity; and as I was preparing for the last sermon, something in the scripture hit me hard in my chest. In 2 Corinthians 8, The Apostle Paul was describing the generosity of the churches in Macedonia. There was a great need and the apostles were receiving relief … Continue reading True Colors
