Obitar Dictum

Obitar Dictum: 

Merriam Webster: “an incidental and collateral opinion that is uttered by a judge but is not binding; an incidental remark or observation."

From time to time I may, or may not, post an incidental or collateral opinion, remark or observation which, while not binding, is reflective of my judgement. 

I may write in an attempt to convince, convict, challenge, confront, comfort, or to get others to comply. I suspect the posts will deal with being a follower of Jesus, his church and the mission he has given to the church. 

This will grow out of my 55 years of following Jesus, a student for 23 years, 45 years of ministry, 44 years of marriage, 42 years of parenthood, 38 years as a pastor, 5 years as a District Superintent, 20 years as a missionary (while doing other things as well), founder of several large national and international religious institutions, professor, consultant, author, evangelist and failed farmer. 

I may not always be correct, but I will never be in doubt. I certainly will not be politically correct. I may often be inconsistent, irrelevant, irreverent and inconsiderate. 

However, it will not be my intent to offend, needlessly. When I intentionally offend, it will be because in my judgement, it is necessary. 

I do pray to honor and glorify Jesus in all I say and do. I have often failed at this in the past and probably do so in the future. But as a good Methodist, I am going on to perfection, and as I told the bishop in 1979, I do expect to be made perfect in this life. 

Please read about Paperweight Churches in my next blog.