What If ...? A Vision of Annual Conference
The Rev. Ben Gosden asserts that God's Holy Spirit is always present at Annual Conference; we just don't always recognize its Presence. more »
May 14, 2013 by Ben Gosden in Ben Gosden
The Rev. Ben Gosden asserts that God's Holy Spirit is always present at Annual Conference; we just don't always recognize its Presence. more »
May 14, 2013 by Ben Gosden in Ben Gosden
The Rev. Ben Gosden ponders the value of faith's uncertainties amid the call for Christians to engage with the world around them. more »
Apr 29, 2013 by Ben Gosden in Ben Gosden (1 Comments)
The Rev. Ben Gosden muses on the profound spiritual mystery and influence of Lent, the traditional 40-day preparation for the celebration of Easter. more »
Feb 21, 2013 by Ben Gosden in Ben Gosden
The Rev. Ben Gosden proposes a way for The United Methodist Church to use metrics in its decision-making. more »
Nov 20, 2012 by Ben Gosden in Ben Gosden (1 Comments)
Amid all the frenzied reaction to the Judicial Council upholding guaranteed elders' appointment, the Rev. Ben Gosden discovers overlooked legislation that he thinks will have greater impact on clergy. more »
Oct 30, 2012 by Ben Gosden in Ben Gosden (4 Comments)
Mulberry Street UMC in Macon, GA, is among hundreds of churches nationwide that will hold worship services around the time of the U.S. election, writes the Rev. Ben Gosden. more »
Oct 24, 2012 by Ben Gosden in Ben Gosden
The Rev. Ben Gosden has some counsel for Christian voters as the 2012 presidential election nears. more »
Sep 25, 2012 by Ben Gosden in Ben Gosden (15 Comments)
The Rev. Ben Gosden challenges the idea that young people can help change the UMC when their elders still frame the conversation around issues of decline. more »
Sep 18, 2012 by Ben Gosden in Ben Gosden
The Rev. Ben Gosden draws on the experience of other pastors to devise some guidelines for cultural references that will connect with younger worshipers. more »
Sep 4, 2012 by Ben Gosden in Ben Gosden (1 Comments)
The Rev. Ben Gosden writes that he received such interesting feedback from his post on Membership Vows that he decided to write this follow-up column. Ben and his wife Katie participated in the baptism of their daughter, Olivia Kate, on Aug. 19. more »
Aug 22, 2012 by Ben Gosden in Ben Gosden (1 Comments)
The Rev. Ben Gosden poses a critical question on the difference between vowing to support the institution of The United Methodist Church and becoming a genuine follower of Jesus Christ. more »
Aug 13, 2012 in Ben Gosden
The Rev. Ben Gosden takes off from the online debate about liberal Christianity to envision a church where labels such as "liberal" and "conservative" are abandoned. more »
Jul 17, 2012 by Ben Gosden in Ben Gosden
The Rev. Ben Gosden continues his series reviewing Kenda Creasy Dean's latest book, "Almost Christian," with urging the church to recover its zeal for serving the world. more »
Jun 26, 2012 in Ben Gosden
Continuing his review series on Kenda Creasy Dean's book, "Almost Christian," Ben Gosden explores the differences between being nice and being holy. more »
Jun 18, 2012 by Ben Gosden in Ben Gosden (1 Comments)
During annual conference time Ben Gosden reminds United Methodists that what God really wants is a church with the guts to dare to follow Him into the margins of the world that are too often forgotten when we worry so much about reports and budgets. more »
May 29, 2012 by Ben Gosden in Ben Gosden
The Rev. Ben Gosden begins an in-depth review of "Almost Christian," a new book by Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean more »
May 25, 2012 by Ben Gosden in Ben Gosden
The Rev. Ben Gosden examines the differences between The United Methodist Church and the process of becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. more »
May 15, 2012 by Ben Gosden in Ben Gosden (1 Comments)
Describing himself as a "Southern moderate," Rev. Ben Gosden reveals his pain how the General Conference and demonstrators handled the debate on sexuality issues. more »
May 4, 2012 by Ben Gosden in Ben Gosden (11 Comments)
The Rev. Ben Gosden reflects on the questions that AREN'T being asked in relation to decisions of the 2012 General Conference. more »
Apr 30, 2012 by Ben Gosden in Ben Gosden (4 Comments)
The Rev. Ben Gosden responds to the first reports coming out of the 2012 General Conference with long-distance observations and questions. more »
Apr 26, 2012 by Ben Gosden in Ben Gosden
David Eichelberger
A forum for discerning God's future for The United Methodist Church, hosted by St. Stephen UMC, Mesquite, TX
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