Away and Towards: Cultivating Solitude in a time of Isolation

April 18, 2020

The Desert Fathers and Mothers have been a continuous wealth of spiritual knowledge and insight, their teachings passed down in various volumes and compendiums.  One lesson has been particularly popularized.  As the story goes; a monastic brother went to Abba Moses and asked for a word of advice regarding the cultivation of a robust spiritual … More Away and Towards: Cultivating Solitude in a time of Isolation

Lamentations: Recovering a forgotten discipline.

April 3, 2020

This article first appeared as an article for The Anglican Church of Canada at https://medium.com/ministrymatters/discovering-lament-why-crying-out-to-god-may-be-good-for-our-souls-23cf60ccfe3a. While out for a walk with my family the other day, we came across another family, also out for a stroll. Mom and Dad were following their two small daughters, each on bright pink bikes with streamers. As we approached … More Lamentations: Recovering a forgotten discipline.

Habits of Devotion

February 27, 2020

This article first appeared at Ministry Matters under the title “Habits of Devotion: Observing the season of Lent in a healthy, restorative, and biblical way.”  Published February 27, 2020.    Are you bored of Lent? This probably seems like an odd question to ask, considering we have yet to enter into the liturgical season. The … More Habits of Devotion

The Language is Important: Michael Coren and the Problem of Pastoral Insensitivity

February 5, 2020

This is my response to The Reverend Michael Coren’s CBC opinion piece regarding Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID), posted on February 4,2020. (You can find his article here). Let me be clear about what this response is and is not.  This is not a position paper wherein I pose a counterargument to Coren’s support of … More The Language is Important: Michael Coren and the Problem of Pastoral Insensitivity

Hubris and Humility, When I get too big for my britches.

January 30, 2020

We know David to be hero of the Old Testament.  He is the man noted to be “after God’s own heart” (1st Samuel 13:14); he slew Goliath when everyone else was too scared to enter the battle field (1st Samuel 17); he grew to be a mighty warrior, a successful king, a consummate leader.  To … More Hubris and Humility, When I get too big for my britches.

When Words Speak: 5 books that formed my faith and brought me closer to Jesus (besides the Bible).

January 27, 2020

Recently, our bishop asked us clergy to provide a list of three books that we have found influential to our lives or our ministry. These books didn’t have to be necessarily theological in nature, just books that we would recommend to others.  For me, this proved to be a difficult task.  I love my books … More When Words Speak: 5 books that formed my faith and brought me closer to Jesus (besides the Bible).

Bonhoeffer, Statistics, and the True Focus of the Church.

January 7, 2020

Do you think Jesus feels invisible in today’s churches, like a guest at a party with whom no one chooses to converse?  I mean, sure he was invited.  We acknowledge his presence as a point of doctrine.  We may even state that the gathering is held in his honor.  However, is that where it ends?  … More Bonhoeffer, Statistics, and the True Focus of the Church.

An appeal for Church unity with reflections from the Parable of the Good Samaritan: My response to General Synod.

July 19, 2019

Last week was the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada.  It is the church that I have belonged to since as long as I can remember.  It is the church that I was ordained in 16 years ago, and it is the church that I love.  For a good several months, however, I … More An appeal for Church unity with reflections from the Parable of the Good Samaritan: My response to General Synod.

Individualism: The scourge of the Church.

October 4, 2018

We all know that the church today is getting smaller.  Denominations are dwindling; churches around the country are closing their doors; more and more people live without any discernible church connection.  Sure, there is a rise of spirituality, but that rarely translates into involvement in a faith community.  When someone describes themselves as ‘spiritual not … More Individualism: The scourge of the Church.