Ben Gosden

Pentecost

Illustration Courtesy of Ben Gosden.

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 in Ben Gosden

Faith

Photo Courtesy of Ben Gosden

Some Days ...

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 in Ben Gosden (1 Comments)

Lent and the Strangeness of Being Christian

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 in Ben Gosden

Sabermetrics: If It’s Worth Counting in the Church, It’s Worth Counting Right

The Rev. Ben Gosden proposes a way for The United Methodist Church to use metrics in its decision-making. more »

Nov 20, 2012 by in Ben Gosden (1 Comments)

Is Change a-Comin'? And Did We Miss It?

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 in Ben Gosden (4 Comments)

Liturgy for a Day of Prayer and Unity

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 in Ben Gosden

Ten Things Christians Need to Remember This Election

The Rev. Ben Gosden has some counsel for Christian voters as the 2012 presidential election nears. more »

Sep 25, 2012 by in Ben Gosden (15 Comments)

Silenced

Photo courtesy of Dan R. Dick

The Myth That Young Adults Have a Voice for Change

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 in Ben Gosden

A Younger Audience

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How Can Pastors Speak to a Younger Audience in Preaching?

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 in Ben Gosden (1 Comments)

Ben and Olivia Kate Gosden

Photo Courtesy of Ben Gosden

Baptismal Vows and Membership Vows -- A Follow-Up

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 in Ben Gosden (1 Comments)

What am I?

Photo Courtesy of Ben Gosden

What If Membership Vows Are Not Enough?

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

Imagine a Church with No Labels

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 in Ben Gosden

Almost Christian

Courtesy of Ben Gosden

It's Not About Us: Rediscovering the Church's Missional Imagination

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

Almost Christian

Courtesy of Ben Gosden

A Call to Niceness - Or a Call to Holiness?

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 in Ben Gosden (1 Comments)

Conference scene

UMNS Photo

Time For Annual Conference Season — Let’s Not Get Confused

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 in Ben Gosden

Almost Christian

Courtesy of Ben Gosden

'Almost Christian' and Other Ways We've Gotten Faith Wrong

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 in Ben Gosden

Roles in a Discipleship System and the (Dys)Functionality of the Methodist Connection

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 in Ben Gosden (1 Comments)

Coming Clean About Taboo Topics

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 in Ben Gosden (11 Comments)

Committee Vote

UMNS Photo by Mike DuBose

The Danger of Unasked Questions

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 in Ben Gosden (4 Comments)

Young Clergy

UMNS Photo by Mike DuBose

General Conference: Some Initial Thoughts and Questions

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 in Ben Gosden

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About this Blog

Reprints from Ben Gosden's blog, Covered in the Master's Dust.

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