About this blog and me

August 13, 2017

Noticer. Adept at parallel play. Worker for justice; reporter of hope, advocate for children and the oppressed;
music-lover; student of comedy; follower of Jesus Christ.

Writer. Pastor. Survivor.

The name of this blog, Take Off Your Shoes, is taken from Exodus 3, the story of Moses standing before the burning bush, and hearing the voice of God say, “take off your shoes, you’re standing on holy ground.”

In February (2023), I retired from ordained ministry after 20 years in the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America).

The current events in the United States and in our world make proclaiming the Good News  an increasing challenge.  Still, it does not seem to be a matter of the Gospel being irrelevant; it is more relevant in the midst of tragedies than at any other time.  It requires that we look deeper at the way things are intertwined and unfolding. It means that followers of Jesus must be ever more diligent in locating themselves in the story of Jesus Christ. And it means that where we find ourselves will likely be uncomfortable. Yet if we are unflinching it has the capacity to change us in ways that are more helpful to the world, to our communities, and to ourselves.

That said, not all my posts are about Jesus or faith. I was a journalist and editor for twenty years before I went to seminary. This blog includes editorials inspired by my time as a pastor, and extends beyond the walls of the church, which always troubled me — those walls.

I thank you for taking the time to listen with me and to me in this space.

May the stories, sermons, and poetry you read here bring you hope. If they touch your soul, please share them with others who might need the perspective they contain.