Have been talking about The Sparrow with my spiritual director. I begin to see what kefiv meant when he commented, "If you want to understand me, start with Emilio Sandoz." That's a horrifying comment since Emilio has the flesh forcibly removed from his hands, sees all his friends die horrifically, and then is raped by an alien race ( Read more... )

So, I think I'm pretty much burning out. Creating youth events, even ones that I enjoy, is becoming a struggle. Now, I just sigh when I think about all the work still needed for tonight's program and the inversely proportional number of teenagers who will be there ( Read more... )

It's a real temptation in youth ministry to think that you're not making any difference. Because teenagers can so often be unappreciative, even ugly, it seems like you're making no headway whatsoever. When you hear good things from them or their parents, you immediately think that they're the only ones who feel that way ( Read more... )

Leading a bible study this evening on Revelation. It's just an overview of what apocalyptic literature is, why we can't take it literally, and how it is actually a beautiful and complex representation of a theology of hope rather than terror and violence. Thought y'all might be interested in the short version ( Read more... )

Just finished celebrating my first real wedding ( Read more... )

No, seriously.

Started a band at the church (yes, a church-y band) with some of the youth. Had our first gig on Sunday--led worship at the church's new family/youth/ecclectic/ancient-future/emergent service called The Banquet.
We rocked.

Who knew I always wanted to be in a band?

It is an interesting thing, in the priest-ing business, that many people think I only work on Sundays ( Read more... )