First United Methodist Church Racine, WI

WHAT VISITORS LOOK FOR IN A CHURCH

Brad Van Fossen — Fri, 08 May 2009 16:16:00 GMT

Before posting a word, I should start with an apology for how long it's been since my last post. So there it is.

Writing something here occasionally, though it's something I enjoy, is one of the last things I find time for among the myriad tasks of ministry.

I got word recently that Dan R. Dick, a guy who's held some national positions with the UM Church has been recruited to the staff of our Wisconsin Conference....

Obama & United Methodists

Brad Van Fossen — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:17:00 GMT

Here's a link http://www.umportal.org/article.asp?id=4441 to a short article from the United Methodist Reporter by mega-church U.M. pastor Adam Hamilton on the election of President-elect Obama. The key quote

The New Atheists

Brad Van Fossen — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:37:00 GMT

Ever since a member of First Church asked me about a new book by atheist Richard Dawkins about a year ago, I've been watching the debate between the so-called New Atheists

And a Little Child Shall Lead Them

Brad Van Fossen — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:03:00 GMT

"Out of the mouths of babes" is an expression for unexpected words of wisdom that children sometimes come up with. It happened this fall at the CROP Walk for the hungry in Speedway, Indiana where Don and Helen Botsford's grandson is a pastor.

The Christian Angle on Politics in America

Brad Van Fossen — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:02:00 GMT

James Howell, pastor of Myers Park United Methodist Church, writes thoughtful commentary on important subjects. Here's one that has been posted on some blogs lately. It's worth reading, especially now when we're winding down the presidential campaign. A helpful caution against identifying our Christian faith with our political party of choice....

Psalms offer source of inspiration for prayer

Brad Van Fossen — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:36:00 GMT

Tim Rucks, head football coach at Carthage College, was traveling in California recently where he clipped an LA Times article about the Psalms. I especially appreciate that it shows how the psalms relate to a whole range of emotions, and that "you don't have to put your best suit on" in order to approach God. The article is worth passing along, so here it is....

Quotes to Live By

Brad Van Fossen — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:05:00 GMT

Two pithy quotes from The Christian Century magazine that are worth passing along...

Hallmark of Methodism: Engaging the Culture

Brad Van Fossen — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:33:00 GMT

One of the blogs (web logs) I like to keep up with is from United Methodist bishop William Willimon(http://willimon.blogspot.com/). A guest blogger for him talks about....

Christians and Immigration Reform

Brad Van Fossen — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 15:17:00 GMT

A couple days ago Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform held a news conference to remind us at Thanksgiving time of "the least of these" in our nation, many of whom are undocumented immigrants working for a better life....

Our Bishops Call for Withdrawal of Troops

Brad Van Fossen — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 22:03:00 GMT

Bishop Lee today asked our churches in Wisconsin to circulate the following news release from the Council of Bishops, "United Methodist Bishops Urge Immediate Withdrawal of Troops from Iraq"....

The Evangelical Swing Vote in Next Presidential Election

Brad Van Fossen — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 16:34:00 GMT

Apologies to those who check here once-in-a-while for not having blogged recently. Mine is the same lame excuse as everyone else, "too busy." I actually enjoy posting items, but time seems to be the limiting factor.

Stephen Colbert on Hell(!)

Brad Van Fossen — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 19:28:00 GMT

Continuing from my last post, the radio interview with Stephen Colbert I heard recently included a little surprise near the end. Again, I'll just give you the relevant part of the conversation, then add a brief comment of my own at the end.

Stephen Colbert on Humor

Brad Van Fossen — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 18:47:00 GMT

Recently I was listening to an NPR ‘Talk of the Nation’ interview with Stephen Colbert of ‘The Stephen Colbert Report’ comedy television show. (You can listen to it by going here http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15116383 and clicking 'Listen' button.) The interviewer was commending Colbert for his bravery is doing some biting satire about the President with the President sitting nearby. Let me show you how this part of the conversation unfolded, then I'll make a comment about why I find it intriguing.

Link to article about Iraq War

Brad Van Fossen — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 17:00:00 GMT

I'm impressed at the efforts of Jim Wallis of Sojourners, an evangelical Christian community in Washington, DC, to transcend Democrat and Republican politics in order to speak to the social and political issues of our day from a broadly Christian perspective. He outlines that perspective in his book God's Politics.

Mother Teresa's Doubts

Brad Van Fossen — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:23:00 GMT

Earlier this month a small flap on the religious news beat caught my eye. The publication of Mother Teresa's journals (against her wishes) revealed a side of her known to only a few close spiritual advisors during her lifetime.

Yet Another Prayer to Start the Day

Brad Van Fossen — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:41:00 GMT

This being the third time I've suggested a 'Prayer to Start the Day,' you may begin wondering if I have a hard time getting going in the morning! Actually, I used to, but mornings have come easier to me over the years, so I'm at the point now that I actually appreciate them, especially if my wife and some coffee are around.

In any case, here's another prayer for early in the day. If I remember correctly, I got it from the blog of a pastor whose seminary professor used to recite it each day in class.

"New every morning is your love, Great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us the desire to serve you, to live peacebly with our neighbors, and to give each day to the service of your Son, our Savior."

How Would You Teach Someone to Learn to Live as a Christian?

Brad Van Fossen — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:31:00 GMT

I find some real gems in the The Christian Century magazine. I can't tell you how many times I've thought, "That's something I'd like to share with the congregation," but then can't find a way to work it into a sermon or newsletter.

A recent example....

Another Prayer to Start the Day

Brad Van Fossen — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:21:00 GMT

Another short prayer I like for starting the day is from a pastor named Fred Craddock, who's a wonderful storyteller and preacher, and who has written a few books along the way. My notation says "The prayer Fred Craddock prays privately every morning." Here it is....

A Prayer to Start the Day

Brad Van Fossen — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 18:09:00 GMT

Here's a prayer that showed up in 'Friends of Silence,' a wonderful little meditative monthly self-published newsletter out of Hannibal, MO. that's full of brief quotes....

One Good Book: Touching the Holy

Brad Van Fossen — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 17:08:00 GMT

One writer I have appreciated for a couple of decades now is Robert Wicks. He's written a number of books on the integration of psychology and spirituality, all of which include genereous helpings of insights and stories from his own life and his reading. He writes for the general reader, so the books are very accessible. One that I've gone back to a few times is....

An NPR Show Not to Be Missed

Brad Van Fossen — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:30:00 GMT

Welcome to 'From the Pastor,' a page where I will be posting thoughts and general musings gathered from hither and yon. I hope to post something at least weekly. So check back whenever you're wondering what's on my mind (warning: it's usually not terribly interesting).

Starting off, I'll mention a radio program I listen to religiously.