God's Promise Comes in Small Packages
A Christening at Contemporary Worship
Welcome to my webpage! I do consider myself to be a Simple Country Parson. Being from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan certainly qualifies as country! Simple, for me, refers to being a Jesus follower. Distilling the Gospels brings us to a practice that is simple - just not easy! The truth of our world is that the complexities of life place us in "world city." Even the farthest reaches of the planet have a kind of connectivity that is almost impossible to imagine. We are what one writer has called, "Lonely Together." Another has said he is a man of, "10,000 acquaintances." What follows is my attempt to reach out and bring us closer together. As you get to know me, I hope to get to know you better as well! Below I have listed some of my beliefs:
Statement of Faith
I believe in the Church of Jesus Christ. I have cried with it in sorrow, rejoiced with it in victory and never been in want – its love has always surrounded me.
I believe, for me, ministry is the way to scratch the deep itch of God’s call,
and live in the midst of the love and challenges of God’s people.
I believe there is a purpose and simple dignity in each human life and a greater purpose in our life together.
I believe the primary purpose of the Church of Jesus Christ is to spend itself
extravagantly in love for those outside and inside the fellowship.
I do not believe the Church is made up of perfect people.
I believe the Church is made up of imperfect people who follow a perfect Lord.
I do not believe ministry is measured by the number of dollars raised or new programs launched.
I believe ministry is measured by how many hearts we touch and how many hands we use to help.
I believe we are called to proclaim God’s love for all of humanity.
I do not believe we should only do so with words.
I believe that we live in a time of pain, suffering and fear.
I do not believe we have been left to face it alone.
I believe we live in a time of possibility, purpose and promise, through our shared life in Christ.
I do not believe we can satisfy ourselves with the world’s half-truths – we need our
Creator’s Power, the Spirit’s Presence and Christ’s Peace.
I believe “the local church is the hope of the world.”
I do not believe there can be any hope for this world without faithfulness to God’s Word and Will.
I believe the world is hungry, even starving, so we must go with bread.
I believe the world is afraid, so we should go with comforting peace.
I believe the world has deep, dark places, so we need to go with light.
I believe that a life of separation from God is a life lived with hands clenched into fists.
I believe that a life lived for Christ is one lived with hands held out; open to hold and open to be held.
I believe that life itself is sacramental and that the Lord’s Supper and Baptism are extravagant moments that remind us of God’s unfaltering grace and love.
I believe that “a baby is God’s opinion that the world should go on.”
I believe the Christ Baby is God’s promise that it will.
I believe Jesus loves me, died for me and calls me by name.
I believe Jesus loves me and, through me, wants to love many, many others.
I believe faith is too important not to be given away.
Statement of Faith
I believe in the Church of Jesus Christ. I have cried with it in sorrow, rejoiced with it in victory and never been in want – its love has always surrounded me.
I believe, for me, ministry is the way to scratch the deep itch of God’s call,
and live in the midst of the love and challenges of God’s people.
I believe there is a purpose and simple dignity in each human life and a greater purpose in our life together.
I believe the primary purpose of the Church of Jesus Christ is to spend itself
extravagantly in love for those outside and inside the fellowship.
I do not believe the Church is made up of perfect people.
I believe the Church is made up of imperfect people who follow a perfect Lord.
I do not believe ministry is measured by the number of dollars raised or new programs launched.
I believe ministry is measured by how many hearts we touch and how many hands we use to help.
I believe we are called to proclaim God’s love for all of humanity.
I do not believe we should only do so with words.
I believe that we live in a time of pain, suffering and fear.
I do not believe we have been left to face it alone.
I believe we live in a time of possibility, purpose and promise, through our shared life in Christ.
I do not believe we can satisfy ourselves with the world’s half-truths – we need our
Creator’s Power, the Spirit’s Presence and Christ’s Peace.
I believe “the local church is the hope of the world.”
I do not believe there can be any hope for this world without faithfulness to God’s Word and Will.
I believe the world is hungry, even starving, so we must go with bread.
I believe the world is afraid, so we should go with comforting peace.
I believe the world has deep, dark places, so we need to go with light.
I believe that a life of separation from God is a life lived with hands clenched into fists.
I believe that a life lived for Christ is one lived with hands held out; open to hold and open to be held.
I believe that life itself is sacramental and that the Lord’s Supper and Baptism are extravagant moments that remind us of God’s unfaltering grace and love.
I believe that “a baby is God’s opinion that the world should go on.”
I believe the Christ Baby is God’s promise that it will.
I believe Jesus loves me, died for me and calls me by name.
I believe Jesus loves me and, through me, wants to love many, many others.
I believe faith is too important not to be given away.