Manifold Wisdom
As a kid at church, I would sit in the pew on the north side of the sanctuary a few rows back and I would take out my bulletin. And…
Book of the Bible: Acts
Waiting for the Promise
Waiting well is one of the hardest things we are called to do as humans. Maybe you’re in a conversation with a friend or family member. But it’s so hard…
The Powerful Name
It is gift to see each of you here today. My name is Ben, I’m the pastor of Chapel Hill Mennonite Fellowship. Raleigh Mennonite – thank you for joining us…
Witnesses to the Resurrection
When I was a college student at Bethel College in Kansas we had to go a certain number of these mandatory convocation lectures. One Monday mid-morning in the spring of…
Community of Resurrection
For the next few weeks in this Easter season, I am going to be preaching from the book of Acts, focusing on the impact of Jesus’ resurrection for the community…
Beginning as Beloved
Today is the celebration of Christ’s baptism. And yesterday in the church calendar was Epiphany, remembering the three wise men from the east who journeyed to offer gifts and see…
Saying Yes
Anabaptists embrace adult baptism (or baptism at a discerning age), since this is what Jesus models and what is portrayed repeatedly throughout the Bible. For Anabaptists, baptism is a sign of faith, of readiness to be part of the church. The belief is: we aren’t born ready. This leads me back to Lydia.
The wounds of love
I spent four hours this week in the car with Willy Wonka, Charlie Bucket, and Grandpa Joe. Leo and Julian listen to books on CD, and I recently burned an…
Forgiveness of sins
The Easter story is so familiar to us that I think we miss the shock, perhaps even the terror, of someone coming back from the dead. Especially when, as we…
Disturbing the city
The young woman in the story we heard is a slave. Her life is a possession of a wealthy Roman family. Her body is owned by business partners. They have…