I am an elder in the Western NC Conference and the pastor of Shiloh United Methodist Church in Granite Quarry, NC. I am married to Angela Rogers Marlowe (who is also a pastor), and we have two of the greatest children in the world: Elizabeth (age 11) and Rachel (age 8). My favorite activities are spending time with my family and friends- talking, playing, traveling, and just having fun.
I grew up in a Methodist parsonage in SC, and my experiences in church and home helped foster in me a deep sense that I am loved of God, as we all are. I remember an experience in UMYF when we had a week of “youth disciple” where I felt Christ in a refreshing and convincing way. I owe a lot to my parents and church workers who helped shape me as a young person.
I went to college at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, where among other things, I was exposed to the writings of Stanley Hauerwas. I remember reading The Peaceable Kingdom , my freshman year of college, then reading it again, then reading it again. Finally I began to understand more of it. I began reading other books by Hauerwas and by John Howard Yoder, and wrote my sr. honor thesis on these two theologians. The summer between my junior and senior years of college, I worked with inner-city youth at the United Methodist Community House in Grand Rapids, MI. At the end of that summer, I felt called to become a pastor. I went to seminary at Duke, where my theological vision was deepened by my studies with Geoffrey Wainwright and I was introduced to the work of Karl Barth and Lesslie Newbegin. I was also shaped by the worship at Duke Chapel where Will Willimon was dean. I think I read as much theology now as I did when I was in seminary 14 years ago. I understand my pastoral vocation to be one of teacher, preacher, worship leader, spiritual guide, and trusted friend.
Why do you blog?
Like most bloggers, I blog primarily to express myself and organize my thoughts. As a bonus, it gives me a chance to engage in theological conversation in a way that I would otherwise never have.
What has been your best blogging experience?
Someone who reads my blog and lives in another part of the country was visiting in the area, and he came to see me and we had lunch. That was fun. That was probably my best experience with blogging: a real flesh and blood encounter.
What would be your main advice to a novice blogger?
I am a novice blogger. I should be asking you this question! I am not worthy to untie the thong of your sandals! But anway, I think one of the most important things to do when you are blogging is to post regularly. Of course, I don’t always practice what I preach in this regard. But it would be nice if I did, and if others did.
If you only had time to read three blogs a day, what would they be?
Bear Witness to the Love of God in this World by Ken Carter
Christian Conversations by Kevin Baker
The Phaith of St. Phransus by Jonathon Norman, even though he misspells “Jonathan”
Who are your spiritual heroes?
St. Francis – he really followed Jesus
John Wesley – he was an evangelical, sacramental, sanctificationist (he had the trifecta going!)
Dorothy Day, she found Jesus in serving the poor and resisting the principalities and powers
Martin Luther King, Jr. – his commitment to nonviolence and his courage
Eugene Peterson – makes spirituality local and particular; has the heart of a poet
N. T. Wright – his grasp of the New Testament
Marva Dawn – because she calls attention to all the unacknowledged assumptions we all make
What are you reading at the moment?
Gilead.
I am re-reading Lauren Winner’s Girl Meets God
What is your favorite hymn and why?
“The Church’s One Foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord.” The hymn is about the relationship of ecclesiology and Christology. There is nothing more important for the recovery of Christian theological formation than this. It makes me weep tears of joy when I meditate on it.
Can you name a major moral, political, or intellectual issue on which you've changed your mind?
Not exactly. My whole life, I have been pretty much on a consistent trajectory of affirming life as God’s good gift- that means opposing abortion, war, capital punishment, euthanasia, and embryonic stem-cell research. That also means being for social justice, opportunities for the poor, universal health care, quality public education, housing for all, social structures that allow everyone to eat and have the basic necessities of life. One of these days, I may become a vegetarian, but right now, I like BBQ too much! I think I am more affirming of the good parts of American culture than I used to be. One of my hopes is that people will see that truly affirming all of life as God’s gift will cut across the artificial boundaries of liberal/conservative.
What philosophical thesis do you think is most important to combat?
Individualism: the assumption that I get to make up my own mind about everything without regard to the community. George Lindbeck uses the term experiential-expressivism to describe what I am talking about.
If you could effect one major change in the governing of your country, what would it be?
Abolish all nuclear weapons and WMD’s. If we don’t want other countries to have them, why should we? Save the money we spend on weapons of war and use it to help the poor. Beat our spears into pruning hooks. Think about how crazy this is: we have to reform welfare so that some mother with small children won’t get too many food stamps, but we can spend millions of dollars on nuclear weapons. I don’t get it.
If you could effect one major policy change in the United Methodist Church, what would it be?
Follow the advice of Richard Hays: suspend our debate over homosexuality and instead have a theological discussion on war and peace. The debate over homosexuality is not helping us to become a more holy people.
What would be your most important piece of advice about life?
Life is about relationships, and we foster relationships by spending time with people. So we enrich our lives by working, playing, and praying with others, especially God. Relationships are sacramental. I get this emphasis on relationships not from pop-psychology, but from Trinitarian theology.
What, if anything, do you worry about?
I worry about the depersonalizing effects of technology. I think that the uncritical use of technology can be a hindrance to forming deep and lasting friendships. If I spend more time with this computer than with my daughter, I will lead a hollow life. People with hollow lives are more easily manipulated by forces that would use them for unholy purposes.
If you were to relive your life to this point, is there anything that you'd do differently?
In high school and early college, I focused too much on academics. I should have just relaxed and had fun. Ironically, the more fun I had, the better my grades got.
Where would you most like to live (other than where you do now)?
Jasper, Canada. You have the most beautiful lakes and mountains in the world. You can’t be around such beauty and not be reminded of God’s goodness. This in turn helps me to see the beauty in each person.
What do you like doing in your spare time?
I really do love the Harry Potter books. I even taught some Harry Potter Bible studies with my children in my church, and I’ve had some writings published in this area. The one and only television show I watch regularly is Monk on USA. I also love Duke basketball and USC (Gamecock) football. The novels of Clyde Edgerton (about life in small towns in North and South Carolina) make me chuckle with the nod of recognition.
What is your most treasured possession?
Probably the Bible I received when I was ordained (deacon). I preach from it every Sunday, as a reminder of the fact that I proclaim the church’s faith, not just my own.
What talent would you most like to have?
A photographic memory. I wish I could remember everyone’s names. I wish I could remember all my sermon notes so I wouldn’t have to look at the outline. I wish I could remember all the different things I’ve read. I wish I could remember all of life’s little details.
If you could have any three guests, past or present to dinner, who would they be?
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the Apostle Paul, J. K. Rowling
(I have dinner with Jesus all the time anyway).
1 comment:
Well! Interesting blog.
Even though we likely don't agree on all points of theology, I do stand with you on the significance of a hymn such as "The Church's One Foundation." Yes, it ties our Christology and Ecclesiology together in a significant (and biblical) way.
But one of our points of disagreement must be your claim that you have the greatest children in the world. :-) Maybe...except for our son Jim, now a missionary in Mexico, with his wife Shari.
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