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Large Language Models of Artificial Intelligence have proven to be exceptionally efficient at analyzing relationships within literary texts, structures, and systems, editing documents, and providing recommendations for improvements. With the new 2020/2024 Book of Discipline now available in PDF format, I wondered what the popular CHATGPT online application would produce if asked for a systemic […]

The following is a written version of a sermon delivered at La Trinidad UMC in San Antonio, Texas on Sunday, November 24, 2024. It is reproduced here by request. Scripture: Revelation 1:4b-8 Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits[a] before […]

Zombie stories combine the terror of death and depravity with the chaos of weird science. In this popular meta narrative, a virulent disease process converts ordinary loving people into lumbering, soulless, and ravenous cannibals. Sometimes the victims die and are reanimated. Other times, they slowly mutate, but the effect is the same. Friends, family, neighbors, […]

At the recent gathering of the New Mexico Annual Conference of the UMC, delegates approved a resolution renouncing all claim to ownership or authority over the extensive Sacramento campground property nestled in the mountains near Cloudcroft, New Mexico. Apparently, as with church pulpits and other leadership structures, the Sacramento Campground board of directors and staff […]

Several months ago, evangelical networks lit up with excitement in response to a revival on the campus of Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky.  On February 8, 2023, a routine chapel service at Asbury quickly transformed into a sixteen-day gathering of over 15,000 people per day. Led by Gen-Z students, the Outpouring gained national attention. Over […]

As I wrote in a blog titled Methodist Misnomers, United Methodist church culture has a very bad habit of using language in misleading and manipulative ways. (For example, the term “missional purposes” is used for institutional bias against an individual, and “protocol” was used to describe the weakening of protocols.) Today, April 22, 2024, I […]

Rev. John P. Feagins As the 2024 General Conference approaches this month, delegates will navigate hundreds of pages of petitions and other proposals. These proposals have been organized and published into a document called The Advance Daily Christian Advocate (ADCA). Similarly, during General Conference, the legislative process will be documented and published on a daily […]

Carta Abierta a Colegas y Amistades de la Iglesia Metodista de México Rev. John P. FeaginsPastor Titular, Iglesia Metodista Unida “La Trinidad”San Antonio, TX Saludos en el nombre de nuestro Señor Jesucristo y en el amor de Dios Padre y la plenitud del Espíritu Santo. En el mes de diciembre, tuve el privilegio de participar […]

Epiphany: When God Shows UpRev. John P. Feagins In modern use, the word epiphany describes the recognition of a new idea or understanding, that light-bulb moment.  Perhaps you’ve had an epiphany where you saw something in a new way or gained a new understanding. In Christianity, Epiphany describes something God does in the world.  Epiphany is a manifestation or […]

In April of 2023, Raquel and I had the pleasure of welcoming Rev. Edgar Avitia to our home for an early breakfast prior to a special called session of Annual Conference. On that visit, Edgar surprised me with news that I had been invited to the 150th Anniversary Celebration being planned later in the year. […]