I doubt that those who went on the Tijuana Mission Trip would describe our experience as “nice” or “interesting.” Those words are utterly inadequate to describe what happened to us or what happened among us or what happened through us to others. The word that ruminates in my ... Continue

Along with several faculty members at Central, I recently heard Dr. Philip Cunningham, a highly acclaimed Catholic scholar; speak on positive developments in the unfolding dialogue between Christians and Jews. Cunningham stated, “We have a covenant with the Jews that we can’t have with any other group.” It ... Continue

It has been a joy to begin a preaching ministry at Prairie Church. You have been most responsive in my first sermons. I have found that preaching improves the better I get to know you because so much of preaching is impacted by context. My preaching has ... Continue

I do not worship big-ness. I often find “big box” stores to be numbing. You’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. You end up walking what feels like a mile and a half for a few items. You walk from one end of the store to ... Continue

Our son’s telephone call on our way home Sunday night changed the mood considerably: Osama bin Laden had been killed. Almost immediately, a crowd gathered outside the White House and at the WTC celebrating the killing of America’s most hated enemy. Bin Laden was the #1 enemy of ... Continue

When I began my pastoral ministry, I hadn’t really thought about the value of prayer and hardly knew anything about meditation. I recall that a progressive church in Southern California contacted me and asked me to meet with their pastoral search committee. I would have been the second ... Continue

It is one thing to drive through and observe a disaster area. Curiosity seekers flock to places like Joplin. You can take pictures and see the horrific force of the nation’s worst tornado. You can say, “I’ve been there.” It is another thing to get inside ... Continue

After having traveled many thousands of miles over a month’s time, it’s good to be back home again. Many of you have expressed your interest in learning more about our trip. I’ve found it hard to know even where to start. But here are some of our experiences ... Continue

Several times people have asked me why we chose Kansas City in retirement. There are several reasons. Jan grew up here. I went to college here. We met here. I became an American Baptist here. I entered pastoral vocation here. Jan has ... Continue

It is one thing to drive through and observe a disaster area. Curiosity seekers flock to places like Joplin. You can take pictures and see the horrific force of the nation’s worst tornado. You can say, “I’ve been there.” It is another thing to get inside ... Continue