e-Review archives
Bishop's Commentaries 2004
 

The power of unity (Jan. 22, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: Over the last two years the people of the Florida Conference have had an opportunity to share their concerns and hopes for The United Methodist Church in our state. full story

Church and college (Feb. 4, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: From the very beginning American Methodists have claimed a stake in higher education. The first major project of The Methodist Episcopal Church was to establish Cokesbury College. full story

Connecting for transformation (Feb. 18, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: At the Conference Table Jan. 30 the Florida Conference Cabinet and I presented a proposal titled "Connecting For Transformation." full story

Disturbing development (March 2, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: Mr. David Kay, the person assigned by the U.S. government to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, has stated that he believes that such weapons did not exist when the United States and other nations invaded Iraq. full story

The Passion of the Christ (March 17, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: I have not seen Mel Gibson's movie "The Passion of the Christ." It would be foolish to have an opinion about the controversies surrounding this movie if one has not seen it. Yet, I think I can make one observation in general: as an art form no movie is able to express the deepest meaning of the cross of Jesus Christ. full story

2004 Annual Conference offering slated for East Angola (March 30, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: The special offering being received at the 2004 Florida Annual Conference Event June 3-6 at Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach will be designated for the East Angola Conference of The United Methodist Church. full story

The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ (April 15, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: In the Apostles' Creed the Western church declares that Jesus Christ "suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again...." full story

The cosmic Christ (April 26, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: The event of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is not fully understood until one grasps its cosmic significance. full story

Memory and hope (May 10, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: We who live on this side of the passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ are aware of the existence of a new phenomenon in human history, the Christian church. full story

Conference is coming (May 24, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: Soon the clergy and lay members of the Florida Annual Conference will gather at Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach June 3-6, 2004. As I look forward to the 2004 Florida Annual Conference, I think of the words that open the Daytona 500, “Gentlemen, start your engines!” full story

Thoughts on my journey so far (June 15, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: By Sept. 1, 2004, I will have completed my assignment by the Southeastern Jurisdictional Committee as the resident bishop of the Florida Area. full story

Tears of joy (June 22, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: During the 2004 Florida Annual Conference a member was walking alongside a young man from Bethune-Cookman College who said to her, "It has been raining a lot while you are here, hasn't it? I think these rain drops are tears of joy being shed by the saints from this place and Mrs. Mary McLeod Bethune over our coming together at last." full story

All things are yours! (July 8, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: While dealing with a mundane problem in the church in Corinth, the apostle Paul makes an amazing affirmation. He exclaims to those who are disciples of Jesus Christ, "All things are yours!" full story

A time of transition (July 20, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: During the 2004 Florida Annual Conference Event June 3-6, 2004, a new structure for districts was authorized. Beginning in July 2005 there will be nine districts in the Florida Conference. Each district will have the same basic organization with a Leadership Council as the primary group for ordering the ministry of the district. full story

New relationship: new role (July 26, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: This is a season when many pastors are establishing a relationship with the congregation to which they have been appointed. The beginning of one's ministry in a congregation is a very critical period. As Roy Oswald wrote in "New Beginnings" (The Alban Institute, 1989), "We suspect that many ministries have been seriously hindered because the pastor and the parish did not get off to a good start. The first 12 months will set the tone for your entire ministry in your new parish." full story

Small congregations (Aug. 3, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: In 1978 Carl S. Dudley wrote a book titled "Making the Small Church Effective" (Abingdon, 1978). In this classic study of small churches Dudley observed that small churches constitute the majority of Protestant churches in America and are located everywhere, from isolated rural areas to affluent suburban neighborhoods. full story

Impressions of a disaster (Aug. 24, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: PUNTA GORDA — (August 20, 2004) Approaching Punta Gorda I glanced at the sign of the Shell service station. The "S" had blown away, leaving only the name "hell." I was not disposed to argue because I had just driven through the devastation of Wauchula, Arcadia, Nocatee, Fort Ogden and Cleveland. full story

Beyond violence (Aug. 24, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: Our need in the Western world to deal with the dangerous threat of terrorism is disclosing once more our bondage to the way of violence. full story

The cross still speaks (Sept. 15, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: As all Floridians cope with the aftermath of the destruction of the recent hurricanes we are tempted to feel overwhelmed. full story

Quiet thoughts on a stormy day (Sept. 23, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: Sunday, Sept. 5, 2004 I am writing as Hurricane Frances envelopes me in its whirling winds and silver sheets of rain. I have a door nearby that is open so that what I write is not false to what my senses perceive. full story

Afflicted, but not crushed (Oct. 14, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: Following Hurricane Jeanne, everybody I met was simply tired. The strain of worry about the destruction of life and property and the disruption of our normal lives had taken its toll. full story

Voting your Christian conscience (Oct. 25, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: She was considered a living saint by most of us. She was more than 100 years old, and she still participated in the Sunday services every week. Her knowledge of the Bible was thorough. Her faith and holiness of life were inspiring. full story

Florida United Methodists continue to respond (Nov. 15, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: We have learned a lot about disaster. full story

A visit to Angola (Dec. 3, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: In November Melba and I traveled to Angola at the invitation of Bishop José Quipungo and his wife, Dr. Laurinda Quipungo. I went to strengthen the partnership between the Eastern Angola Conference and the Florida Conference. full story

Africans in America (Dec. 15, 2004)

An e-Review Commentary: On my recent trip to Angola to learn about the life of our Church in Africa, I found myself thinking about African-Americans. Staying in a house in the residential area of Malanje, every day I was able to observe the ordinary lives of Angolans. I was struck by how familiar the people seemed. full story