On the phone, and other archaic communications technology

I really dislike the phone.  It’s annoying, intrusive, and demands my attention by an annoying clanging (or, worse, a digital rendition of clanging).  For a while in the 1990’s I found a use for my phone-line, it got me on the Internet.  When I got broadband, however, the phone just became annoying again.  I don’t…

Keeping In Touch

I’m sitting outside enjoying an absolutely beautiful Spring day (and a day off). I am sitting on our swing as I write this, and had briefly considered bringing out our “landline” (it’s actually VOIP). I decided against it, but it got me thinking about the ways I keep in contact with people. As best as…

Magical Presentations(?)

  Last night, Central Baptist Church had a wonderful evening of prayer which sprang from a discussion we recently had on restructuring.  It was, truly,  a good beginning. As I am, according to one of the members of our congregation (who happens to be a doctor), “The poster-child for ADD” I tend to avoid prayer…

Satire is FUN

I’m a Baptist pastor, but this conversation is one I’ve had far too many times in the past.  After I have a conversation with some of my low-Church brethren, I’m often left wondering two things: Why am I immediately terrified when a Christian comes up to me and begins a conversation with, “Brother?” (or, actually, why…

“I’m not a…” Syndrome

There’s a phrase that I’ve come to hate as I’ve ministered within the Church.  It’s a phrase that, more than any other, tells me, “Don’t try to teach me anything – I’m perfectly happy where I am, thanks.” The phrase is, “I’m not much of a techie.” As I’ve become known as “the computer guy”…

Unintended Benefits

We’ve probably all heard about the “law of unintended consequences.”  An action is taken, and unplanned-for results spring up in it’s wake.  Sadly, given the nature of the term, we often assume that these unplanned-for results are inherently negative.  Hence the “consequences” moniker.  I want to share, however, a recent experience Central has had with an unplanned-for…