Lakeshore Outreach

You may already be familiar with the term “Faustian Bargain” but in case you are not, the Encyclopedia Britannica offers the following definition: Faustian Bargain A pact whereby a person trades something of supreme moral or spiritual importance, such as … Continue reading November 29, 2018 →

On the first three Sundays of November I will preach a series of sermons titled “November Prayers.” The three prayers I will call to our attention are: A Prayer for the Saints, A Prayer for the Church and A Prayer … Continue reading October 25, 2018 →

Just before noon on Thursday, September 13, City Council Member Abel Guillen’s office called asking if I would be able to serve as the moderator at a meeting that evening between the Council Members, Oakland Human Services Director Sarah Bedford, … Continue reading September 27, 2018 →

Almost twenty years ago, in response to both community concerns about the need for a more vibrant business climate on Lakeshore Avenue and lobbying from the now defunct Greater Mandana Action Committee, of which our church was a part, the … Continue reading August 30, 2018 →

On my desk are copies of two recent New York Times articles. Both have to do with change in the world around us. The first is “California Is Preparing for Extreme Weather: It’s Time To Plant Some Trees” written by … Continue reading July 26, 2018 →

The Fourth of July is a time for us consider the history of our nation and the direction in which we are headed. In the spirit of sober consideration, I share this important letter from The Reverend Dr. Lee Spitzer, … Continue reading June 28, 2018 →

In early May I was pleased to represent Lakeshore and Oakland Community Organizations (I am Co-Chair of the OCO Board along with Pastor Michael Wallace of Mt. Zion Baptist Church) at the Faith in Action National Gathering in our nation’s … Continue reading May 31, 2018 →

Below is an essay from Tim Moore of the Alliance of Baptists regarding proposed changes to the Alliance of Baptists Charter. I am sharing it because, while our primary denominational identity is with the American Baptist Churches USA, LABC is … Continue reading April 26, 2018 →

It is likely that you are reading this in the days just before Easter 2018. I trust that you are connecting with the symbols, stories and significance of the season. I trust that in some important ways you are not … Continue reading March 29, 2018 →

The theme for our Tuesday night and Wednesday morning Bible studies, these early months of 2018, is “Feminine Characters in Genesis and Exodus.” There are more than one would think. Scholar Rachael Gelfman Schultz writes, “Genesis contains the greatest concentration … Continue reading February 22, 2018 →