We Wish You a Joseph Christmas
A "down and dirty" "Joseph" Christmas that acknowledges the humanity of the Holy Family -- including Jesus -- may be the kind of Incarnation story we really need, writes the Rev. Dan R. Dick. Read more
Dec 18, 2013 12:37 PM Dan R. Dick
Grace-free Living
How do we treat one another in the church when we disagree? The Rev. Dan R. Dick explores the implications of two conversations overhead recently in United Methodist churches. Read more
Nov 1, 2013 7:49 AM Dan R. Dick 2 Comments
What Color Is Your Prayerchute?
The Rev. Dan R. Dick encourages believers to consider carefully – and colorfully – what kind of prayers we're really praying Read more
Sep 20, 2013 11:05 AM Dan R. Dick 1 Comments
Shmoo Church
Those lovable, highly usable but ultimately satirical Shmoo creatures from the old L'il Abner comic strip resemble The United Methodist Church, writes the Rev. Dan R. Dick Read more
Sep 13, 2013 2:54 PM Dan R. Dick 1 Comments
Han Church
The Korean concept of "han," an ever-present anxiety about the future, may describe The United Methodist Church for some, but the Rev. Dan R. Dick contends that we're already blessed beyond material wealth with the good news brought by Jesus Christ. Read more
Aug 10, 2013 5:17 PM Dan R. Dick 1 Comments
Parallel Universes
United Methodists have far more financial and other resources than nine-tenths of the world, and it could use those resources more attentively to bless others, writes the Rev. Dan R. Dick. Read more
Aug 2, 2013 8:51 AM Dan R. Dick
Too Busy to Learn
The Rev. Dan R. Dick explores the long-range implications of a church leadership that's too busy to learn new knowledge. Read more
Jul 17, 2013 2:02 PM Dan R. Dick
The Joy of Learning
So what did you learn at the 2013 session of YOUR annual conference? The Rev. Dan R. Dick proposes that United Methodists should be doing more to foster a love of lifelong learning among adults, whether clergy or laity. Read more
Jun 13, 2013 4:50 PM Dan R. Dick
The Contentment Decision
The Rev. Dan R. Dick looks at the quality of contentment as one of the signs of a vital faith in Jesus Christ. Read more
Jun 6, 2013 4:09 PM Dan R. Dick
Leadership Made "E"-z
Much as he dislikes their cutesy effects, the Rev. Dan R. Dick offers a model of leadership that builds on a string of memory devices starting with the letter "E." Read more
May 24, 2013 10:50 AM Dan R. Dick
Growth Imperative
Growth is essential for Christian maturity, but it's growth of the spirit and not necessarily of numbers, writes the Rev. Dan R. Dick. Read more
May 15, 2013 2:18 PM Dan R. Dick
Lego Church
The "one-way-for-all" approach to growing churches -- like Lego kits with only one building plan -- is precisely what The United Methodist Church does NOT need in this time of change, writes the Rev. Dan R. Dick. Read more
Apr 24, 2013 9:01 AM Dan R. Dick 1 Comments
Open Mouth, Insert Foot
The Rev. Dan R. Dick recommends a new book as a way for Christians to improve their speech to be less hurtful. Read more
Apr 22, 2013 11:53 AM Dan R. Dick
Ecumenically Challenged
Attending a gathering on church unity, the Rev Dan R. Dick wonders why all Christians don't assemble together more often -- and what to do about it. Read more
Apr 17, 2013 3:39 PM Dan R. Dick
B Church
The Rev. Dan R. Dick examines what it takes to "B" the Church through belief, behavior and belonging. Read more
Apr 1, 2013 5:12 PM Dan R. Dick
Prayerheads
How's your practice of prayer? The Rev. Dan R. Dick surveys the state of prayer in the UMC and offers his guidance for what to do about it. Read more
Mar 21, 2013 9:39 AM Dan R. Dick
Fruititude
What kind of "spiritual fruit" are we really producing, asks the Rev. Dan R. Dick. Read more
Mar 19, 2013 8:48 AM Dan R. Dick
Leading in the Little Things
A youth leader's actions in NOT correcting young people's unChristian attitudes sparks a response from the Rev. Dan R. Dick. Read more
Mar 15, 2013 2:39 PM Dan R. Dick
Anti-Afflatus, or Welcoming the Holy Spirit
Christians can benefit from embracing their "trans-rational" experiences of the Holy Spirit rather trying to explain them away, writes the Rev. Dan R. Dick Read more
Mar 14, 2013 6:05 PM Dan R. Dick
Why Answer the Call?
Responding to a question from fellow blogger John Meunier about his post, "Vital Is As Vital Does," Dan R. Dick lifts up his hopes that The United Methodist Church can still attract capable young ministers. Read more
Mar 9, 2013 3:39 PM Dan R. Dick
Tag Cloud
2012 General Conference UMC future discipleship United Methodist future Call to Action UMC leadership church growth Metrics homosexuality UMC change Vital Congregations spiritual formation adaptive leadership United Methodist structure Worldwide United Methodist Church learning gc2012 Holy Spirit United Methodist Church United Methodist UMC clergy grace United Methodist youth young people in church radical hospitality Christian witness United Methodist general secretaries Gil Rendle United Methodist leadership George G. Hunter III The Great Commission mission Adaptive Leadership series young clergy Ministry Study Joseph, husband of Mary Church and Society B Church Back to Zero UMC schism UMC mission prayer adaptive challenge diversity religious diversity young adult delegates General Board of Discipleship economic injustice economic inequlity stewardship