An Open Letter in the Wake of the Termination of My Ordination
First of all – to all those who have reached out to me, to my family, and to the Bridgewater COB in love and care, whether you are “with”...
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- Oct 19, 2015
Untethered...Reflections on Kansas City
Losing faith is not the same as losing belief, but it can break the fragile tether between a person and her innocence just the same. ...
- Oct 16, 2015
Reflecting on My Religious Heritage
My last semester at Goshen College, I took a class called congregational ministries taught by Keith Graber Miller. On the first and...
- Aug 1, 2014
A Ruptured Circle
It was a neat and nearly perfect circle of deniability. Denominational leaders would grimace and carefully explain to us how the church...
- Jul 25, 2014
A Pastor's Response
Response to IMMC Statement of Charge against Karl Shelly Greetings to you, sisters and brothers in Christ on the IMMC Ministry...
- Jul 5, 2014
Being Forced Out of the Church
I've been very busy since starting seminary. Not just with school work, but also with acclimating to a new place and making new...
- Feb 14, 2014
An Open Letter to Ervin Stuzman
Dear Ervin Stutzman, Grace and peace to you. I recently read your response to the "Rule of Love" letter. I was particularly struck by...
- Oct 10, 2013
Fashioned in Love: Biblical and Theological Foundations for Inclusion
Pastor Chicago Community Mennonite Church Lancaster Welcoming Dialogue Group & Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests Eden Resort,...
- Oct 3, 2013
Nonconformity, Authenticity and Conscience
In a moment of interesting coincidence, I noted with no small amount of irony that two members of the Church of the Brethren made...
- Jun 7, 2013
"Hiya! Hiya! Come On In!"
Sermon Text for May 5, 2013 at Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster. Biblical text: Acts 16, 9-15 When I rang the doorbell to...
- Dec 21, 2012
A Tipping Point: Some Reflections on the Recent U.S. Elections
In social change movements there is often a moment known as the tipping point. This is the stage where enough momentum or critical mass...
- Oct 9, 2012
Saving Jesus from the Church - Luke 4:16-30
Sermon by Bonnie Kline Smeltzer University Baptist and Brethren Church July 29, 2012 14 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit,...
- Sep 5, 2012
Reflections on Annual Conference (COB 2012)
Dripping water hollows out stone, not through force but through persistence. -Ovid After more than two decades of filling out forms,...
- Mar 16, 2012
The Beloved One(s)
“The Beloved One(s)” Mark 9.2-9 Transfiguration Sunday, Year B, February 19, 2012 York Center Church of the Brethren, Lombard, IL My...
- Nov 7, 2011
Faith After Inclusion: Where has it brought us? Where will we go?
Presentation at A Circle Ever Wider – SCN Conference October 18, 2011 Note: This talk is significantly influenced by conversations with...
- Aug 5, 2011
Thoughts on Annual Conference (COB 2011)
The Church of the Brethren Annual Conference business session closed on a disturbing note as General Secretary Stan Noffsinger announced...
- Apr 21, 2011
On Silencing Easter
Old newsletters often seem a nuisance – cluttering up countertops, junk drawers and email accounts – yet every so often, one stands out...
- Mar 25, 2011
A Singular Purpose
This sermon on 1 Corinthians 7 and Matthew 19 was given by Phil Stoltzfus at Faith Mennonite Church, March 6, 2011, during a series on...
- Jan 5, 2011
A Changing Conversation
It was with mixed emotions that I watched as US President Obama signed the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, leading the way for lesbian,...
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