Locs, Heels, and the Bible

I found some notes relevant to this blog in my journal from a few years ago. I guess we can say that history and the present indeed play tag with each other. I have expanded on my earlier notes for the purpose of this post.  So! What are bullies doing at church? Bullying what else? Well, that, and the same things that many of us are doing in church - seeking, searching, etc. As with every human being, we take ourselves with us wherever we go. Bullies are no different. Additionally, a bully may not even recognize the bullying characteristic in themselves and because they are bullies, there may not be a lot of people who are willing to risk pointing it out. This blog post delves into the collateral damage that occurs when bullying infiltrates the church, exploring this issue through a Biblical lens, grounded in the teachings of the United Methodist Church (UMC).  Human beings generally seek solace, love, and spiritual nourishment in places like churches. However, despite our bes...

  The jackasses are at it again.  When a human entity is named ‘Supreme’ anything, one can expect the possibility that power will be preferred over people.  The supreme court has ruled that affirmative action is ‘unconstitutional’ and the people who would be most negatively affected by this decision are people of Color and anyone of little or no means.  What is affirmative action: Affirmative action is a response to centuries of systemic oppression rooted in racism and more forms of othering. It is aimed at addressing historical disadvantages faced by marginalized communities, promotes inclusivity and diversity, and compels institutions to be accountable for creating spaces mainly for people of Color who are always at the receiving end of the shit stick. The decision to dismantle affirmative action fails to acknowledge the ongoing existence of a white-centric culture and ignores the practical ways in which systems can be restructured to be more inclusive. It serves a...

You all knew that I would have something to say about the shenanigans of the Southern Baptist Convention.  In a world where progress is often measured by the leaps we make toward equality and justice, it is disheartening and scary to see how institutions - namely the Southern Baptist Convention - hold steadfastly to harmful and antiquated ideologies. Their refusal to allow females within their ordained pastoral ranks is at best misguided. Despite the pressing social issues that demand our attention, the SBC seems determined to suppress the voices, gifts, and potential of their own daughters, mothers, and wives.  Misreading and Misinterpretation of Scripture: The foundation for the Southern Baptist Convention's position on female pastors lies in a theological interpretation of Scripture that is deeply flawed. I am positing that their stance is based on a narrow reading of a few select passages, while disregarding the broader message of the life of Jesus. By selectively emph...

I am staying with The United Methodist Church. Months ago, on a Wednesday morning, in the quiet sanctuary of a United Methodist Church, as sunlight streamed through stained glass windows blinding me on the turn, I sat in a pew, reflecting on my decision to remain rooted within the embrace of The United Methodist Church. My heart walked through my journey with the church and paused at several historic moments. There, I wept, laughed, and sobered as the memories were allowed to emerge and speak. Presently, I am watching the church I love take toddler steps towards a commitment to dismantling systems of subjugation. I have worked alongside and witnessed firsthand the tireless efforts of some of my fellow clergy and of laity, fighting against injustice and discrimination. We are rallying for the human rights of marginalized communities, our voices ringing with compassion and conviction rooted in our Wesleyan rule of life. The UMC is standing as a beacon of hope, challenging societal norms,...

Acts 1 I told you to wait. Here it comes😜 I heard that a little boy in Sunday School described the ascension as Jesus evaporating 😂 DED.  The text in Acts frames its moral instruction as the response of faith to Jesus’ exaltation. The Ascension of Jesus holds deep political implications that challenge our understanding of power, authority, and the nature of God's kingdom. As I studied this text this year, I explored the political dimensions of the Ascension, examining its subversive message of hope, justice, and a transformative vision for society.  The Political Context:  To comprehend the political significance of the Ascension, we must first consider the historical context. Jesus lived and ministered under the oppressive Roman Empire, a regime characterized by dominance, hierarchy, and exploitation. In this era, power and authority were centralized, and any dissent was met with brutal suppression. This sounds so familiar... Against this backdrop, the Ascension of Jes...

  In Acts 1, the following question is asked of the disciples who stood staring into the sky watching Jesus disappear into the clouds as Luke tells it. “Why do you stand there gazing into heaven…?” It is an appropriate question and a strange one at the same time depending on the perspective. Why indeed were they just standing and staring? At the same time, why shouldn’t they stand and stare? They have never seen anything like this before.   The Ascension of Jesus is a dynamic spiritual movement that puts us smack in the middle of Jesus’ life - a life that is an explosive revelation of the kingdom of God moving us from our confined minds to an ethical, wide, and actionable understanding of God (I hope). In the ascension of Jesus, Jesus is passing the baton to the church and a warning that we must no longer be merely spectators.   Following  is not a spectator sport!   Jesus was active in dismantling the evil practices of the Roman empire and the disciples are cha...

  Romans 10:14-15 "How can they hear..." I attended Festival of Homiletics (in person) this year! Eac h human being has their own set of gifts. If you know anything about me it is that I am a gifted preacher and I love the preaching and teaching ministries of the church. I also preach from the margins because "How (else) can they hear...?"  In a world where influence and power often dominate the discourse, it's easy to overlook the profound beauty and transformative potential found in preaching from the margins. This unique perspective brings fresh insights, amplifies the voices of the marginalized, and allows us to embody the very essence of love, justice, and compassion. "How (else) can they hear..?" The verses in Romans 10:14-15 beautifully encapsulate and urge us to recognize the crucial role of preaching in bringing the message of hope and salvation to ALL people. The significance lies not only in the act of preaching itself but also in the fact t...