Author Archives: Richard Heyduck

About Richard Heyduck

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

The Problem with Control

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

I like being in control. I like knowing what’s coming next in life. I like knowing that I have all the resources I’ll need to do whatever I want. This level of control is what our culture teaches, isn’t it? … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Discipleship | Leave a comment

Ministry as Job

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

Adults, unless independently wealthy, need a job in order to support themselves and their families. Even wealthy people likely need a job for the sake of their well-being. Jobs are tied up with issues of money, competition and progress. When … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecclesiology, Ministry, United Methodism | Leave a comment

Surprised by… Sin?

Posted on July 9, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

If you watch tv, I bet you’ve seen a show where someone no one suspected turned out to have deep, dark secrets. A man everyone knew to be a loving and engaged father was really a molester. A woman who … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, Discipline, Sin, Will Willimon | Leave a comment

Church as Laboratory

Posted on July 4, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

In their On the Moral Nature of the Universe, Nancey Murphy and George Ellis say, “The church is a laboratory for imagining and practicing new forms of social life.” What do they mean by this? Our first thought might be … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, Ecclesiology, Ethics | Leave a comment

Civil?

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

I’ve seen this claim several times, as part of an apologetic for same-sex marriage. Marriage is a civil ceremony. Because it is a civil ceremony, it is a civil right. I don’t get it. The hidden premise, “All civil ceremonies … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Current events, Marriage, Politics | Leave a comment

Why College?

Posted on July 1, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

When a person chooses to go to college, what does that person take herself to be seeking? What is the expected outcome of the (usual) four years of time, work and expense? The first answer many in our culture offer … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Higher Education | Leave a comment

Who Do You Ask?

Posted on July 1, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

If you want to learn how to bake, whom do you ask? Ask a baker. It’s obvious. If you want to learn how to paint, whom do you ask? Ask a painter. That’s a no-brainer. If you want to learn … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Evangelism, Jesus | Leave a comment

Subordination

Posted on June 26, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

In his book Bishop, Will Willimon says, “Leaders in the church are subordinate to the mission of the church.” I served in a pastoral role for 25 years. During all that time, I, as pastor, was subordinate to the mission … Continue reading →

Posted in Ministry, United Methodism, Will Willimon | Leave a comment

Sometimes Philosophers Make You Laugh

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

Can you tell what Rene Descartes is describing here? I bet you’ll laugh once you figure it out. (Courtesy of Iain McGilchrist) [This] results when the blood coming from the right-hand cavity of the heart through the central arterial vein … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Philosophy | Leave a comment

Clergy & Laity

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

In Bishop, Will Willimon says, Because I’m a Wesleyan I believe that all church leadership, bishops or otherwise, is best rationalized on utility rather than by puffed-up theological warrant. Like Luther, I prefer a pragmatic rather than an ontological definition … Continue reading →