Author Archives: Richard Heyduck

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About Richard Heyduck

Pastor of Hardy Memorial Methodist Church, a Global Methodist Congregation. PhD Fuller Seminary MDiv Asbury Seminary BA Southwestern University

“Liberal” and “Conservative”

Posted on June 24, 2014 by Richard Heyduck

We use these words, “liberal” and “conservative” quite a bit and in multiple contexts. From where I stand, I see them used most frequently in theological and political contexts. They are not as helpful as we think, since we often … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Theology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Against Separation, Part 2

Posted on May 23, 2014 by Richard Heyduck

The United Methodist Church is a large, bureaucratic institution. “Connectionalism,” is one of our highest values, “congregationalism” one of the vices we most loudly decry. These aspects of our polity mean that what happens at the top really matters. When … Continue reading →

Posted in Current events, Ecclesiology, United Methodism | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Against Separation, Part 1

Posted on May 23, 2014 by Richard Heyduck

When I was ordained, Bishop Oliphint asked me and the other candidates a series of questions inherited from John Wesley. Methodists of various sorts have been asking and answering these questions for a couple centuries now. There’s nothing new here. … Continue reading →

Posted in Current events, Discipline, United Methodism | Leave a comment

Immune Systems, Individual and Social

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Richard Heyduck

I listened to Russ Robert’s interview with Moises Valsquez-Manoff (on Econtalk) yesterday on my drive to pick up my daughter. The conversation was about recent studies showing the role increased hygiene plays in the rise of allergies and auto-immune diseases. … Continue reading →

Posted in Al Qaeda, Clash of Civilizations, Politics, Robert Putnam, Samuel Huntington, Social Capital, United Methodism | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A Suspicion about Bubbles & Inequality

Posted on March 1, 2014 by Richard Heyduck

When I’ve read about retirement planning I’ve often seen references to savings earning a return averaging 8% a year (just recently I’ve seen the 6% figure used). That’s been tougher to find lately, as “safe” investments (federally insured accounts) are … Continue reading →

Posted in Current events, Economics | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Discovering Your Real Self

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Richard Heyduck

We sometimes have the idea that our job in life is to discover our real self. This self exists independent of all our life experiences and the forces of society that intentionally and unintentionally make us over into something else. … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Theology | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Beauty in the Eye?

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Richard Heyduck

Beauty in the Eye Most of my students express the conviction that beauty is always and only in the eye of the beholder. In the face of differing accounts, assessments, and experiences of beauty, this position seems natural. I take … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Vision or Memory

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Richard Heyduck

This morning’s preacher worked from Philippians 3 and urged us to “press on.” In his message he used a “preacher story” about a man who was faced with a major medical crisis. If he had the risky surgery, he might … Continue reading →

Posted in Preaching, Spirituality | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Problem with Names

Posted on January 25, 2014 by Richard Heyduck

We Christians have sorted ourselves out by name, imaging that our names are of supreme importance and essential to our identity. I’m a Methodist. Our tradition got its name because John Wesley and his Christian buddies at Oxford were methodical … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecclesiology, Ecumenism, John Wesley, United Methodism | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pat Oldham, Woman of Faith

Posted on January 18, 2014 by Richard Heyduck

Pat Oldham, a member of a former congregation, died today. During my years there Pat served in almost every capacity, official and unofficial. More than serving as committee member (and chair), lay speaker, UMW leader, etc. Pat was a woman … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment