Dear Friend, celebrate with me what God is doing!

These leaders have found much to resonate with when looking at Haggai and Zechariah. Their struggles with a sometimes-discouraged, sometimes-divided group, the differing expectations of each faction, the difficulty in transmitting an empowering vision – all of these are struggles that the second temple community and these leaders share.

But they also learn by example how to understand and apply the Scriptures to themselves and their people. They learn to recognize good interpretations from bad ones. They learn to recognize what Christ-centered, spirit-filled grace-focused hermeneutics and leadership looks like.

Most importantly, they find encouragement in their calling as leaders, are strengthened in endurance for their work, and together share each other's burdens, sorrows, and joys.

Could anyone ask for a better job than I have :-)?

A new connection at 

As you know, I have been teaching at Albright since 2012, teaching Hebrew Bible, New Testament, and world religions. At the beginning of the year, they asked if I would consider serving as a part-time interim chaplain. After some prayer and discussion with Cindy, I decided to accept. It was providential, of course, because I found out later that my teaching at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia will be coming to an end. SJU has not had a full-time Hebrew Bible professor for four years, and they recently hired one. While we will miss the income, it really is a blessing because it removes a long commute for me and allows me to focus more on my tasks in this city.

Chaplaincy at Albright is not a particularly easy task right now, as the college, which is affiliated with the United Methodist Church, is divided over the recent UMC rulings on gay marriage and gay ordination. They have asked me to lead discussion groups on campus for students, alumni and faculty regarding this issue. I know my own beliefs on the issue, but I need wisdom and grace to effectively serve the entire community here. Would you please pray for me in this task? I believe that God has called me here for this time, and I trust that he will give me the right words at the right time.

If this goes well, this could turn into a more long-term position, and this would allow me even more of a position and legitimacy on campus to continue serving the urban immigrant and minority pastors of the city of Reading who don't have access to formal theological education. Would you join me in prayer for this as well?

Thank you!