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On Praying for Revival
Tapping into the widespread search for renewal in The United Methodist Church, the Rev. Ben Gosden invites us to consider some essential steps in accomplishing a revival. Read more
Apr 15, 2015 1:38 PM Ben Gosden 1 Comments
5 Things the Church Should Stop for Lent
Rather than sacrificing sweets or social media, the Rev. Ben Gosden has a list of things the institutional church should stop doing for Lent ... and maybe permanently. Read more
Feb 26, 2015 2:59 PM Ben Gosden
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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. Read more
May 14, 2013 6:24 AM Ben Gosden
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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. Read more
Apr 29, 2013 11:06 AM 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. Read more
Feb 21, 2013 2:24 PM 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. Read more
Nov 20, 2012 7:19 PM 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. Read more
Oct 30, 2012 12:07 PM 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. Read more
Oct 24, 2012 11:55 AM 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. Read more
Sep 25, 2012 2:22 PM Ben Gosden 15 Comments
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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. Read more
Sep 18, 2012 2:27 PM Ben Gosden
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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. Read more
Sep 4, 2012 2:16 PM Ben Gosden 1 Comments
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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. Read more
Aug 22, 2012 10:22 AM Ben Gosden 1 Comments
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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. Read more
Aug 13, 2012 9:24 AM 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. Read more
Jul 17, 2012 8:26 PM Ben Gosden
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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. Read more
Jun 26, 2012 12:04 PM Ben Gosden
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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. Read more
Jun 18, 2012 4:26 PM Ben Gosden 1 Comments
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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. Read more
May 29, 2012 4:43 PM Ben Gosden
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'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 Read more
May 25, 2012 11:05 AM 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. Read more
May 15, 2012 2:42 PM 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. Read more
May 4, 2012 8:13 AM Ben Gosden 11 Comments
Tag Cloud
discipleship 2012 General Conference United Methodist Church Vital Congregations Call to Action Kenda Creasy Dean Metrics spiritual renewal UMC future annual conference United Methodist future UMC change Moralistic Therapeutic Deism Lent young clergy UMC clergy Liberal Christianity Rise of Internet & social media spiritual formation membership decline Environmental issues Almost Christian book social justice listening holy conferencing revival Columbine shootings Kingdom of God young adults Newsweek U.S. election 2012 Andrew Sullivan Guaranteed appointments faith ministry of the laity prayer social networking Twitter Worldwide United Methodist Church 'Almost Christian' Forrest Gump homosexuality Holy Spirit United Methodist overwork Connectional Table 2012 presidential election Reality TV doubt Judd Apatow