Author: john o'keefe

I am a pastor, father, lover, friend, questioner, dancer, wonder, consultant, futurist, thinker, theologian, storyteller and radical. I am the author of “boneYARD; creatives will change the way we lead in the church” and of “C2: the church creative; developing the creative edge” due out in March 2011.

09 May

Would You Wear a Poop-hat in Church?

Would You Wear a Poop-hat in Church?

So, would you wear a poop-hat in church? Why not? Oh, I know – poop humor is juvenal, childish and just wrong. No “self-respecting” pastor would ever …

 
By john o'keefe
Filed under: church
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22 Apr

There once was a man from Nantucket (or Bethlehem)

There once was a man from Nantucket (or Bethlehem)

If you asked any group of people outside the church to define the church in just one word, what would that word be? Boring? Closed? Judgmental? Political? Needed? Forgiveness? Loved? Sure, all of …

 
By john o'keefe
Filed under: acceptance, affirming, book, christ, church, conceptual, conceptual age, conceptual leadership, fun, funny
Comments: 1
22 Feb

PART ONE: It’s Not What We Give-Up, But What We Get.

PART ONE: It’s Not What We Give-Up, But What We Get.

Because of this decision we don’t evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and …

 
By john o'keefe
Filed under: acceptance, affirming, boneyard, christine sine, good friday, lent 2012, theology
Comments: 1
13 Jan

Sandbox Theology

Sandbox Theology

Way back in 1989 (I think I am showing my age) Robert Fulghum wrote a great book entitled, All I Really Need To Know I …

 
By john o'keefe
Filed under: affirming, boneyard, christ, church, conceptual age, conceptual leadership, theology
Comments: 2
11 Jan

The UMC and Me: A Rant

The UMC and Me: A Rant

Over the past decade I have had several conversations with United Methodist Church (UMC) leaders. Every time that conversation starts with them emailing or calling …

 
By john o'keefe
Filed under: acceptance, affirming, church, conceptual, conceptual age, conceptual leadership, rant, story, united methodist church
Comments: 6
08 Jan

Processing The Idea of Bullying

Processing The Idea of Bullying

If there is one thing I am known for it is processing my thoughts in public. It may seem crazy for some, but for me …

 
By john o'keefe
Filed under: acceptance, affirming, bullying, christ, church, conceptual, conceptual age, misfits
Comments: 1
16 Dec

Is It Wrong to See The Church (or Ministry) as The Family Business?

Is It Wrong to See The Church (or Ministry) as The Family Business?

Over the past decades I see many Churches where the Children or In-laws of the Pastor have grown to become the new Pastor of the …

 
By john o'keefe
Filed under: church, industrial church
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03 Nov

I Have Come To The Conclusion That God Hates Sodomites

I Have Come To The Conclusion That God Hates Sodomites

I have to admit this was a hard road to walk. The journey my faith has taken me down some pretty weird roads, but none …

 
By john o'keefe
Filed under: acceptance, affirming, American Baptist Church, boneyard, christ, Christian Left, church, conceptual, conceptual age, conceptual leadership, grace, inclusivity, misfits, Open, phobias, theology, Trust, venting
Comments: 6
30 Sep

Why I Left the Left

Why I Left the Left

I am a progressive Follower of Christ; I have no problem identifying myself as a Progressive Follower of Christ. I find comfort in the theology …

 
By john o'keefe
Filed under: Christian Left, conceptual, conceptual age, conceptual leadership, friendship, misfits, Open, theology, Trust
Comments: 1
12 Aug

I Need To Vent

I Need To Vent

Here is something I just figured out, Liberal/Progressive Denominational Leaders are not different in how they abuse people as those who belong to Conservative Demoninations. Over …

 
By john o'keefe
Filed under: acceptance, affirming, christ, church, conceptual, conceptual age, conceptual leadership, inclusivity, industrial church, misfits, venting
Comments: 4