by John Collins on January 26, 2012
As many of you know, I’ve long been a fan of Apple products. Our household has two Apple laptops and three iPod Touches. During the time that Jenny and I have been appointed as your pastors, the church has switched to Macs. Because Apple makes the products, I prefer, this article really bothers me.
I’m especially sad to hear that the aluminum unibody design that I love in Apple products is the cause of factory explosions and that the products I love are still made in less than humane conditions. These quotes at the end of the article haunt me:
“You can either manufacture in comfortable, worker-friendly factories, or you can reinvent the product every year, and make it better and faster and cheaper, which requires factories that seem harsh by American standards,” said a current Apple executive.
“And right now, customers care more about a new iPhone than working conditions in China.”
As I understand it, the automation involved in modern manufacturing means that improving working conditions would only slightly increase the retail cost of an Apple product, and Apple has one of the largest profit margins in the industry. As Christians we are obligated by our faith to care more about working conditions in China than new models and updated designs every year. (And seriously, I can’t keep up with all the improvements that are introduced with every new generation of Apple products anyway.)
I’m looking for a way to put my faith into practice. Suggestions?
Disclaimer: posted from a MacBook.
by John Collins on January 25, 2012
I’m happy to report that we ran out of Bibles for our new Bible project last Sunday. More are on the way. More arrived today. I’m excited that so many of you are looking forward to reading the New Testament during the 40 days of Lent and the Great 50 Days of Easter. I’m also thankful for all the people donating so that we can place a Bible in the hands of someone in need, that we, as a church, might provide assistance for spiritual as well as physical needs.
by John Collins on January 22, 2012
My sermon from today is now online at: coffeyvillefirstumc.org/podcasts.
The title was: “Receiving God’s Love: The Practice of Radical Hospitality” and the texts were John 3.1-17 and 1 John 4.16b-19
This was the first in our six part sermon series titled “Six Practices of Fruitful Living” which is based, somewhat loosely, on Five Practices of Fruitful Living by Robert Schnase. We’ve made enough changes that he may or may not want to be associated with it.
This sermon had more than 30 slides, which, sadly, are not available on an audio podcast. But I listened all the way through it and I think it still makes sense.
by John Collins on January 21, 2012
Last Thursday, January 19, 2012, at the Witness Work Area Meeting it was decided to embark on a multi-faceted Bible project. There is a new translation of the Bible, called the Common English Bible (CEB). A Rethink Church edition of the New Testament is being made available for $5 by United Methodist Communications (UMCom), which is encouraging United Methodists to buy a copy for themselves and donate $5 so that a copy might be provided for someone else. Inspired by their example, it was decided that we would encourage members and friends of First to follow their lead. Copies of this edition, which includes brief introductions to both the Bible and the United Methodist Church will soon be available for $5. You’re also encouraged to donate $5 so that we can hand one out to someone in need.
Now you may be asking yourself, “Why should I buy another New Testament. I’m perfectly happy to donate $5 to provide one for someone else, but why would I need one?” The answer is two-fold. First, we’re going to encourage members and friends of first to join us in reading through the New Testament in 90 days during the forty days of Lent and the Great Fifty Days of Easter (there is a handy guide in the UMCom edition which assists you in doing just that, but it will be made available elsewhere). Second, re-reading the Bible in an unfamiliar, yet accurate, translation helps us put ourselves in a place to hear the good news again for the very first time.
Additional Background Information: the CEB has been developed by several denominational publishers, including the United Methodist Publishing House. It’s translated at a seventh grade reading level, which will help make it accessible to anyone who receives one through the church’s various aid programs.
by John Collins on January 20, 2012
A Service of Death and Resurrection for Dolores Stallings will be held today (Friday, January 20, 2012) at 2 pm in the sanctuary. Interment will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence.
by John Collins on January 20, 2012
This coming Sunday, Jenny will preach the first sermon of a six part series based on the book Five Practices of Fruitful Living by Bishop Robert Schnase. We’ll be using the book for a Lenten book study later on in the year. The five practices we’ll be discussing are: Radical Hospitality (welcoming God into our lives); Passionate Worship; Intentional Faith Development; Risk-Taking Mission and Service; and Extravagant Generosity. There are a copies of the book available in the main lobby.
Update: The book is called Five Practices of Fruitful Living, but we’ve decided to call the sermon series: “Six Practices of Fruitful Living.” We’re doing this because the sixth chapter of the book, titled “Fruitful Living and Offering God’s Love” concerns evangelism and that seems to us to be another practice of faithful Christians.
by John Collins on January 18, 2012
“Christianity doesn’t deny the reality of suffering and evil… Our hope… is not based on the idea that we are going to be free of pain and suffering. Rather, it is based on the conviction that we will triumph over suffering.”
— Brennan Manning
Hat Tip: Sojourners
by John Collins on January 17, 2012
This coming Sunday, Jenny will preach the first sermon of a six part series based on the book Five Practices of Fruitful Living by Bishop Robert Schnase. We’ll be using the book for a Lenten book study later on in the year. The five practices we’ll be discussing are: Radical Hospitality (welcoming God into our lives); Passionate Worship; Intentional Faith Development; Risk-Taking Mission and Service; and Extravagant Generosity. There are a copies of the book available in the main lobby.
by John Collins on January 16, 2012
Sorry to be saying this again so soon, but the church office will be closed Tuesday, January 17, 2012, as Jenny and I journey to Topeka for a continuing education event. We’ll be gone through Thursday afternoon, but will be available via our cell phones. We want to thank Judy Hiner and Charlotte McMurray for staffing the office on Wednesday and Thursday.
by John Collins on January 16, 2012
I have to confess that there was a time, growing up, that I didn’t understand why we observed Martin Luther King Day. I didn’t understand the reasoning behind a federal holiday for a man who had not been president. Over time, as I’ve learned more about United States history and the role played by the civil rights movement, I’ve come to believe that MLK’s place in history overshadows that of many presidents. I’ve also come to see MLK Day as a way to honor not only MLK but rather the movement as a whole. As a Christian, I also appreciate the fact that the civil rights movement was a profoundly Christian endeavor that put the teachings of Jesus into effect in the face of stiff, unrelenting, unethical, and often violent and inhumane opposition. To better understand why I consider the civil rights movement an profoundly Christian endeavor, King’s Letter From a Birmingham Jail (pdf) is not a bad place to start.
This is the professional blog of John and Jennifer Collins. We are ordained clergy members of the Kansas East Conference of the United Methodist Church and are currently appointed as pastors of Coffeyville First.
The views and opinions expressed here are our own.
