Monocultures grow rapidly, but they aren’t sustainable, whether you’re growing cows or churches, writes the Rev. Jason Valendy.

Behind all the clamoring of the decline of the UMC and mainline Protestantism in general there are conversations happening about the future of the UMC. Some feel that if we could just get back to some earlier form of Christianity then the church will r…

Cultivating spiritual maturity takes many seasons of practice, yet too many Christians today expect instant results, writes the Rev. Jason Valendy.

In a lectio divina group Estee and I are a part of, the eight  participants reflected on a section of John 15. In this “divine reading” an insight came into focus about Jesus talking about bearing fruit. Beginning with the thought that Jesus does …

There are many ways to be a leader in the Church. Scripture points out that some are called to be Apostle, Prophet, Teacher, Evangelist, Pastor (Ephesians 4). The body of Christ needs all the parts in order to dance. One of the ways of being leader tha…

When your companion gives you a less than generous interpretation of your thoughts and actions, you’re facing a trust issue, writes the Rev. Jason Valendy.

Drawing on tales from early monastics, the Rev. Jason Valendy asserts that pastoral leaders today should look foolish so that they don’t draw attention away from Christ.

Trust is the lifeblood of relationships. This is obvious in personal relationships but there are many types o…

Trying to describe the indescribable God makes every Christian a heretic to some other Christians who see God in different ways, writes the Rev. Jason Valendy.

Lets face it, every Christian is a heretic in some way.Perhap…