Author: David M Schell
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Hymn: “We Give You Thanks For Doubters”
Given my extensive history of doubt, it was honestly just a matter of time. The hymn is sung to “Lancashire,” which many will know as the tune to “Lead On O King Eternal.” 1. We give you thanks for doubters, whose questions help us grow, who don’t believe unquestioning but ask for proof to know. You…
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Sermon: Is Christ Divided?
To some, Christ is a good person, white, polite, always falls the rules, keeps his head down and doesn’t rock the boat, is more concerned about prayers than oppression, More about piety than poverty More about virginity and vulgarity than about violence more about your devotions then others’ distress, More about obedience to rules than…
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Hymn: “The Greatness of the Smallness of God”
As I was working on this Sunday’s worship service, I realized I wanted to include a hymn that I didn’t think existed. I’m preaching about the omnipotence of God (Presbyterians tend to prefer “providence” language) in response to a question from a member of my church. Omnipotence is a challenge, and I’ve written about it…
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On Modern Worship Music: Part 1: My Spiritual Musical Autobiography
I grew up with ’90s and ’10s Christian Contemporary Music (CCM). At one point I truly believed WOW Hits 2005 was the pinnacle of Christian music. (I don’t listen to that album much anymore, though). I have music by 4Him, Avalon, Amy Grant, Bebo Norman, Big Daddy Weave, Chris Rice (meep), Chris Tomlin, David Crowder*Band,…
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A Story of Kindness Turning Down the Temperature
This is the story of how I accidentally discovered the power of kindness to turn down the temperature. Kristen and I stopped for a fancy lunch to celebrate our 12th wedding anniversary on our way to pick up our kids from their weekend visit to their grandparents. The restaurant was busy, and we had to…
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Walking Backwards on the Sawdust Trail
I grew up in a tradition that deeply valued coming forward to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. This tradition has some of its roots in camp meetings and tent meeting “revivals,” and you used to “walk the sawdust trail” down the aisle to go forward and repent and pray to receive…
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Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt
Almost 50 years ago, the term FUD (short for Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt) was coined. IBM used FUD to convince technology buyers to use their products rather than those of other tech companies because, “Well, you know and trust IBM, right? You haven’t heard of this other company before.” They wanted customers to be uncertain…
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Hey, God
Jesus said when you pray, say “Our Father,” but I haven’t done that much in the past few years, except during “The Lord’s Prayer” in church. When Jesus taught his disciples to pray “Our Father,” it was a term of intimacy, inviting them to view God as a parent, someone who cares about them and…
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Responses to Young Sheldon: Religion and Science
In this first post in a maybe-series responding to theological questions and challenges Young Sheldon presents to Pastor Jeff, I respond to Pastor Jeff’s claim that “there’s a 50-50 chance that God exists” and Sheldon’s claim that the odds of God’s existence are zero.
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With Gratitude for Five Years as a Pastor
The five-year anniversary of my ordination as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament, or Teaching Elder, in the Presbyterian Church (USA) was yesterday. I’ve been a pastor for five years now. It barely seems possible. Not just that it’s been five years, but that I’m a pastor at all. It’s something I wanted to…