Dog Days

Well, it has been over a month (almost two, actually) since a post. NOT GOOD for someone aspiring to throw WEEKLY liturgy stuff out there! Oh well...it's SUMMER. Is it just me, or is there not as much "slowing down" in the summer anymore? I find it to be one of the busiest times of the year, actually, especially July and August, as the church prepares for new ministries and initiatives in the fall.

I have not been preaching from the lectionary of late...I don't feel that tied to it anyway. It is difficult to be contextual, especially in seeking to revitalize/grow a church, and be tied to the lectionary. I have been engaged in a series about HOSPITALITY in recent weeks, trying to urge the usual crowd into more of it...and a MUCH deeper appreciation of "philonexia" -- love of the stranger. This week is Romans 12 (for my money the best concise manifesto on Christian living in the New Testament). I'm trying to lift up hospitality as more than just an "add on," or even something vitally important for evangelism...which of course, it is. But, it is more...it is CENTRAL to the whole Gospel message, to the core of who and what Jesus was all about. His whole ministry was "practicing hospitality"....the love of the "stranger". I'll post some of the liturgy I've been using (and borrowing) when I get around to it. Stay cool. And TAKE SOME TIME OFF. A colleague of mine and mentor of sorts, Jeff Patton (http://www.jhpconsulting.com/) recommends that those in full time ministry take at least THREE weeks off in a row....I'm working on that, Jeff, lol. For now, a few days at a time!