Author: Daniel Tomberlin

BS, MDiv, DMin. Ordained bishop in the Church of God (Cleveland, TN); pastor for 37 years; Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministries at Pentecostal Theological Seminary (Cleveland TN).
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Starbucks and the Gospel

I recently read a blog that posed the question “What if Your Church Marketed Like Starbucks?”

  • Churches Would Have Stellar Signage
  • Churches Would Not Use Confusing Language
  • Churches Would Be Known More for What They Are For than What They Are Against
  • Churches Would Create Guest Experiences that Make People Feel Welcome
  • Churches Would Communicate Consistently Across Multiple Channels
  • Churches Would Operate Missionally by Serving First Rather than Being Served

Full disclosure demands that I confess that I am an avid and loyal customer of Starbucks. Even as I can appreciate their marketing strategy, and affirm the intent of the blog, I would like to offer a more discerning reflection (I hope).

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Adam, Eve, and Paul: Discerning the Role of Women in the Mission of God

A Theological Reflection on 1st Timothy 2:11-15

Regarding Paul’s writings about the role of women in the church, William Mounce has written, “If it could be proven that elsewhere Paul allows women to teach… authoritatively within the context of the household of God, then it would have to be concluded that Paul is inconsistent or [has] been misunderstood.”[1] L. T. Johnson has suggested that Paul was “nervous” about the role of women in the church. He offers a very helpful discussion on the various hermeneutical options that inform interpretation. He concludes that the only viable option “is to engage the words of Paul in a dialectical process of criticism within the public discourse of the church, both academic and liturgical.”[2]

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Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality – A Review

I have served as a pastor for more than thirty years. The most difficult issues I have faced have been matters of love. Time after time I have talked with people who have been deeply hurt by the people they love and trust most. These issues of love, devotion, affection, attraction, and sexuality are the dirty secrets that have consumed a great deal of my time as a shepherd of God’s people. Love may be bliss, but it is fraught with difficulty and pain. Consider the many painful situations associated with love and sex:

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The Nuances of Racism

This post was edited and updated on 8/20/2014.

When we talk about racism or bigotry most people are not aware of the nuances involved. Racism is a term filled with political nuance. Believe it or not, there is a distinction between being a racist and a bigot. A bigot may harbor malicious and hateful thoughts against another because of race, nationality, or religion. But a bigot lacks the power or motive to act. If one is a bigot, but has power and motive, then that is racism. Racism is inherently oppressive. Jim Crow laws were racist because they had the force of law and the support of a bigoted populace. Keep in mind that to be racist implies the political, social, and economic power to oppress a group of human beings because of their race.

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The Love of God

God unconditionally loves sinners and conditions them to be glorified saints!

There’s a lot of talk about the “unconditional love” of God. On most occasions the context of this conversation is someone who admits to their sinful condition, even revels in it, but considers any suggestion of repentance to be judgmental.

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Lessons on Leadership from the Bishop of Rome

Pope Francis’s recent address to the Italian bishops was a call to be models of discipleship, not masters over persons.

“The consequence of the love of the Lord is to give everything—exactly everything, even one’s own life—for Him: This is that which ought to distinguish our pastoral ministry. It is the ‘acid test’ that bespeaks the profundity that we have embraced, the gift we have received. By responding to the call of Jesus, we show how much we are bound to the persons and the communities that have been entrusted to us.”

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