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The Narrow Path That Leads to Inclusion

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In our current cultural and political climate, one truth has become increasingly clear: the greatest value in following Jesus is not about religious practice detached from a kingdom-shaped heart. It is not discovered through self-righteous effort, cultural power, or moral gatekeeping. Instead, the greatest value is found in hearts and lives fully submitted to Jesus—lives that seek justice for the marginalized, extend mercy to those pushed to the edges, and love neighbors who are too often treated as threats rather than image-bearers. Jesus’ vision of the kingdom consistently centers people who are our society overlooks or rejects. Immigrants, outsiders, and those whose identities do not fit dominant cultural expectations were never peripheral to His message—they were central. This remains true as we turn to the concluding verses of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7:13–29. Before stepping into these closing words, it helps to remember the foundation was already laid in the Beatitudes...
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Walking With Jesus Towards Peace

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When the venerable monks participating in the Walk for Peace passed through my area—Columbia, South Carolina—my family and I chose to join them. Early that morning, we intentionally intersected their route so we could walk alongside them for a short distance. We wanted to experience, even briefly, the solidarity I had been hearing about—solidarity with those who long for peace in a world that often seems to thrive on division. Later that afternoon, we attended a rally so well attended that it virtually closed downtown Columbia. Thousands gathered as the monks walked to the Capitol, where they challenged us to pursue both personal and communal peace in our lives and in our world. As the walk has progressed, I have heard troubling stories. Stories of Christians standing in opposition to these monks and to those supporting them. I saw fellow believers—both in person and on social media—question or outright condemn those of us who chose to participate, including my own family. So let me be...
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Safety As Sacred Work: Why Safety Matters in the Church

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Over my last few blogs I have attempted to communicate that having it all together isn't a prerequisite of coming to Jesus. I have argued that we must sit at tables of KINDness while continually examining ourselves in light of the Gospel. This blog is a return to some of the same challenges with an emphasis on the importance of creating safe community. the following is shortened version of a chapter in a book I am working on putting together to challenge churches and individuals to engage and live in the Messy Middle. What does this look like when we build community together? Safe church spaces do not emerge accidentally. They are formed—slowly, intentionally, and with a biblical mandate—by communities that take Jesus at His word when He says that love will be the defining mark of His followers (John 13:34–35). For LGBTQ+ people, and for many others shaped by racial injustice, political marginalization, or spiritual trauma, “church” has often been experienced as a place where lived...
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Pulling Up a Chair in the Messy Middle

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  In life, one comes to understand that we are on a journey shaped by incremental discoveries; small moments of learning that slowly form who we become for the people around us. Growth rarely arrives fully formed. Instead, it unfolds through missteps that teach us humility, core beliefs that are tested and refined, and muscles of compassion that must be intentionally strengthened over time. The journey itself matters, not just the destination. How a person engages these processes determines the kind of presence they become in the lives of others. Some choose to grow into safe spaces—people who can hold tension, listen without rushing to judgment, and extend love, compassion, and grace even when things are unresolved. Others, often without intending to choose a different path. That road can lead to harm: wounding others, marginalizing the vulnerable, or grasping for power at the expense of those with the least voice. The difference between these paths is not perfection, but posture....
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A Gospel Big Enough for "The Outsider"

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Some mornings remind you that life is messy before you ever open your Bible. This past Sunday felt like one of those mornings. Technology wasn’t cooperating. Things broke that normally don’t break. Plans unraveled before they even got started. And yet—right in the middle of the chaos—we took communion. We slowed down. We remembered not just that a baby was born, but that a King rose from the dead. That contrast feels important, especially during Christmas. Because Christmas has a way of cleaning up the story. We put the wise men neatly next to the shepherds. We imagine everything happening in one peaceful night. But the real story is messier, longer, and far more challenging than our nativity scenes suggest. And that’s good news—especially for those of us learning how to follow Jesus in a complicated, divided world. This season at our church we’ve been talking about   The Greatest Gift . Last week, we reflected on Joseph—an ordinary man who chose obedience in the middle of confusio...
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When "Outsiders" Lead Us to Jesus

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From the very beginning of the Jesus story, God makes something unmistakably clear: people who are considered outsiders matter to Him. In Matthew 2, we find an interesting group of outsiders publicly recognizing and announcing the arrival of the Jewish Messiah. They are the Wise Men—Babylonian scholars, foreigners, and spiritual outsiders. They are not religious insiders; they come from the margins of Israel’s story, yet they are the ones who notice the star, trust the promise, and take the risk to show up and worship. This is not accidental. God intentionally chooses outsiders to proclaim that the King has come. The Wise Men were shaped by a legacy that began during Israel’s exile, when figures like Daniel spoke God’s truth in foreign courts. Over generations, those promises were preserved among people who did not appear to fully belong in the Jeswish story. When the sign appeared, they responded. They crossed borders, endured uncertainty, and entered a culture not their own to honor ...
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Where Jesus Stands: A Challenge to Faithful Allyship

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If you are a Christ follower Jesus calls you to stand with anyone who is marginalized, oppressed, victimized, or bullied. His words as seen in the gospels are peppered with cries for justice, inclusion, and equality. As a Pastor I have come to realize Jesus is calling us to become allies to those who are most ostracized or vulnerable in our midst.  What is an Ally? According to Mirriam Webster’s Dictionary the word ally is defined as  “one that is associated with another as a helper; a person or group that provides assistance and support in an ongoing effort, activity or struggle”. To be clear being an aspiring ally is all one can be, it is the right and privilege of the excluded and mistreated community to decide who they designate as an ally. This can only happen over time as a person backs up their words with action. I want to share some hard fought lessons I have learned on my own personal journey to as an aspiring ally. As a reminder if you are a christian you serve ...
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