Posts
The Church’s Sin Against the LGBTQ Community and the World
There’s a story Jesus tells, known as the Parable of the Talents. A wealthy man leaves his property in the hands of three servants to care for. Before departing, he gives each of them
Things I’ve Learned Since My Father Died
This is my least favorite day of the year. As I write this, today is my father’s birthday. Five years ago he turned 70, and that night in his sleep
When You Find Out You Have One Day Left to Live
Most of us live our life in little boxes. These boxes have numbers on them and they tell us where we are. We live and die by the stuff within these boxes;
The Bible Never Mentions A Building Called ‘Church’
Last week I wrote this piece, encouraging people who love God but who for any number of reasons find themselves outside of a traditional church. A number of Fundamentalist Christians
Blogger University: The 10 Commandments of Blogging
Welcome to Blogger University! Every day people ask me, “So John, how did you create a successful blog?” My first response is that I’m still never quite sure what successful means,
Donald Trump Doesn’t Really Matter To Donald Trump Supporters
Photograph by Charlie Neibergall / AP I finally figured out why this is all so frustrating. Now I know why I’m so tired. The more this Presidential campaign drags on, the more it’s
Standing Rock: Where Have All the White Patriots Gone?
Where are all you white Patriots? Where are all you jealous lovers of America? Where are you tireless defenders of freedom, of religion, of the sacred songs of this country? I
When Another Christian Calls You a “Christian”
Air quotes are an abomination unto the Lord. – John There, I said it. You know what I’m talking about, friend. You’re engaged in an online discussion with another Christian; sharing
Where is God When Young Boys Are Murdered?
TRIGGER WARNING This article or section, or pages it links to, contains information about sexual assault and/or violence which may be triggering to survivors. In 1989, Jacob Wetterling was 11
A Love Letter to Teens in the Closet
If I remember it correctly, being a teenager can be Hell. In the middle of so much changing in and around you, it can impossible to figure out just who
An Exodus from Religion
We are the people of the Exodus. For so long we lived in captivity, chained in the Egypt of our Religion. Fear was our Pharaoh and he was cruel and
Relax Christian, You Don’t Have to Go to Church
Sunday is coming, and millions of people all over the world will find themselves in local churches; participating in worship services, Bible studies, and age-based ministries, and finding great encouragement and
How People of Color Can Protest “The Right Way” for White America
For years I’ve listened to the same argument from folks, regarding Colin Kaepernick and other NFL athletes sitting during the National Anthem, as a way of bringing racial injustices
Dear Brock Turner, How Was Your Summer?
Dear Brock, Man, these Summers fly by, don’t they? A while ago I wrote a letter to your father. I’m not sure whether he mentioned it or not. He never did
I’ll Stop Church-Bashing When the Church Stops Bashing…
I’m a Christian and a pastor, and I’ve grown weary of Church-bashing. I wish the Church would stop bashing the LGBTQ community. It’s not enough for preachers, evangelists and pew sitters
For Those of Us Who Don’t Have Our Sh*t Together
Recently, I had a mid-life crisis in the middle of my kitchen. It only lasted a few seconds, but it was enough of a sucker punch to the gut to temporarily knock
Dear Angry Sports Dad,
Dear Angry Sports Dad, As a rule, I try to stay in my lane as a father; to not tell other fathers how to do their jobs, because I know how difficult
Life’s Great, Everything’s Wonderful—and I’m lying. (Life With Depression)
Shakespeare said that all the world is a stage—and man he was right. I know because I’m a master thespian. I am but one in a large company of great actors surrounding you right
Colin Kaepernick is Patriotic, American—and Right
Two years ago, then San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the National Anthem, in protest of the violence against people of color by the police. And
Exit Interviews: What I Wish My Former Pastor Knew, Part 3
Note from John: I’m very fortunate that I have a venue for my voice to be heard, and realize that most people do not. As a pastor, I spend a great deal
We Need a Softer Faith for These Hard Times
Look around you. Take a glance at your social media feeds. Watch the news. Listen to people. Hear the strained weariness in their voices. Look at their faces. See the tightness
The Day I Chose My Heterosexuality
I still remember the day I chose to be heterosexual. It was the fourth grade. I was 10 years old and I already knew all about girls. I knew to take
Exit Interviews: What I Wish My Former Pastor Knew, Part 2
Note from John: I’m very fortunate that I have a venue for my voice to be heard, and realize that most people do not. As a pastor, I spend a great deal
If These are My Last Words
I always pray differently on the tarmac. Every time I get onto a plane, invariably something happens: I ponder my mortality. Forget that I’m far more likely to die falling in
The Church’s Sin Against the LGBTQ Community and the World
There’s a story Jesus tells, known as the Parable of the Talents. A wealthy man leaves his property in the hands of three servants to care for. Before departing, he gives each of them
Things I’ve Learned Since My Father Died
This is my least favorite day of the year. As I write this, today is my father’s birthday. Five years ago he turned 70, and that night in his sleep
When You Find Out You Have One Day Left to Live
Most of us live our life in little boxes. These boxes have numbers on them and they tell us where we are. We live and die by the stuff within these boxes;
The Bible Never Mentions A Building Called ‘Church’
Last week I wrote this piece, encouraging people who love God but who for any number of reasons find themselves outside of a traditional church. A number of Fundamentalist Christians
Blogger University: The 10 Commandments of Blogging
Welcome to Blogger University! Every day people ask me, “So John, how did you create a successful blog?” My first response is that I’m still never quite sure what successful means,
Donald Trump Doesn’t Really Matter To Donald Trump Supporters
Photograph by Charlie Neibergall / AP I finally figured out why this is all so frustrating. Now I know why I’m so tired. The more this Presidential campaign drags on, the more it’s
Standing Rock: Where Have All the White Patriots Gone?
Where are all you white Patriots? Where are all you jealous lovers of America? Where are you tireless defenders of freedom, of religion, of the sacred songs of this country? I
When Another Christian Calls You a “Christian”
Air quotes are an abomination unto the Lord. – John There, I said it. You know what I’m talking about, friend. You’re engaged in an online discussion with another Christian; sharing
Where is God When Young Boys Are Murdered?
TRIGGER WARNING This article or section, or pages it links to, contains information about sexual assault and/or violence which may be triggering to survivors. In 1989, Jacob Wetterling was 11
A Love Letter to Teens in the Closet
If I remember it correctly, being a teenager can be Hell. In the middle of so much changing in and around you, it can impossible to figure out just who
An Exodus from Religion
We are the people of the Exodus. For so long we lived in captivity, chained in the Egypt of our Religion. Fear was our Pharaoh and he was cruel and
Relax Christian, You Don’t Have to Go to Church
Sunday is coming, and millions of people all over the world will find themselves in local churches; participating in worship services, Bible studies, and age-based ministries, and finding great encouragement and
How People of Color Can Protest “The Right Way” for White America
For years I’ve listened to the same argument from folks, regarding Colin Kaepernick and other NFL athletes sitting during the National Anthem, as a way of bringing racial injustices
Dear Brock Turner, How Was Your Summer?
Dear Brock, Man, these Summers fly by, don’t they? A while ago I wrote a letter to your father. I’m not sure whether he mentioned it or not. He never did
I’ll Stop Church-Bashing When the Church Stops Bashing…
I’m a Christian and a pastor, and I’ve grown weary of Church-bashing. I wish the Church would stop bashing the LGBTQ community. It’s not enough for preachers, evangelists and pew sitters
For Those of Us Who Don’t Have Our Sh*t Together
Recently, I had a mid-life crisis in the middle of my kitchen. It only lasted a few seconds, but it was enough of a sucker punch to the gut to temporarily knock
Dear Angry Sports Dad,
Dear Angry Sports Dad, As a rule, I try to stay in my lane as a father; to not tell other fathers how to do their jobs, because I know how difficult
Life’s Great, Everything’s Wonderful—and I’m lying. (Life With Depression)
Shakespeare said that all the world is a stage—and man he was right. I know because I’m a master thespian. I am but one in a large company of great actors surrounding you right
Colin Kaepernick is Patriotic, American—and Right
Two years ago, then San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the National Anthem, in protest of the violence against people of color by the police. And
Exit Interviews: What I Wish My Former Pastor Knew, Part 3
Note from John: I’m very fortunate that I have a venue for my voice to be heard, and realize that most people do not. As a pastor, I spend a great deal
We Need a Softer Faith for These Hard Times
Look around you. Take a glance at your social media feeds. Watch the news. Listen to people. Hear the strained weariness in their voices. Look at their faces. See the tightness
The Day I Chose My Heterosexuality
I still remember the day I chose to be heterosexual. It was the fourth grade. I was 10 years old and I already knew all about girls. I knew to take
Exit Interviews: What I Wish My Former Pastor Knew, Part 2
Note from John: I’m very fortunate that I have a venue for my voice to be heard, and realize that most people do not. As a pastor, I spend a great deal
If These are My Last Words
I always pray differently on the tarmac. Every time I get onto a plane, invariably something happens: I ponder my mortality. Forget that I’m far more likely to die falling in