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

A Baptism of Repentance

Posted on April 7, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

John the Baptist is described in the Gospels as preaching a “baptism of repentance.” In the descriptions of his ministry in the Gospels we see people coming to him, confessing their sins. Matthew tells us that when Jesus comes to … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Ecclesiology, Ministry, Theology | Leave a comment

Decline of Authoritarianism? Not where I look

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

Martin Thomas writes in The Guardian about the shift from authoritarian to a more horizontal and collaborative style in business. He sees this as a shift from a Platonic to an Aristotelian approach. It may be happening in business, but … Continue reading →

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

What Do You Do?

Posted on March 24, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

Since January I have been on faculty at Wiley College in Marshall. About half my students are young black men. I worry for them, that some armed, fearful, paranoid white guy, will take out his fear on them. What are … Continue reading →

Posted in Current events | 1 Comment

What Counts as a Person?

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

In the past year or so there has been an uproar about corporations being treated as persons. Continuing my review of Bobbitt’s Shield of Achilles tonight, I find this thesis (p. 365): The society of nation-states developed a constitution that … Continue reading →

Posted in Nihilism, Politics | Leave a comment

Security & Welfare: Bankruptcy or New Visions?

Posted on March 10, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

As I continue my reviewing of Bobbitt’s book, The Shield of Achilles… If the Nation State (which in Bobbitt’s usage is the form national states have taken, beginning with the American Civil War) is predicated on providing security from enemies … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Leave a comment

United Methodists, Catholics and Religious Liberty

Posted on February 24, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

Attacking Catholics has been all the rage for some, since they have responded to the government’s new insurance mandate as if it were infringing their freedom of religion. Some have been painted them as evil and misogynist. Others deny that … Continue reading →

Posted in Current events, Ecclesiology, United Methodism | 7 Comments

Strange

Posted on January 8, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

I feel strange. Tomorrow morning is the first Sunday since early July 1991 that I will wake up without feeling primary responsibility for a congregation. This week I’ve taken up a new job, a non-pastoral job. I’m now part of … Continue reading →

Posted in Ministry | 3 Comments

Try Harder

Posted on December 10, 2011 by Richard Heyduck

I looked at Martin Heidegger a few times over the years and never got much out of him. Most of what I found there seemed like gibberish. Then I found the podcast of Hubert Dreyfus on Heidegger I thought I’d … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Ecclesiology, Max Weber, Nihilism | 1 Comment

New Mission Field

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Richard Heyduck

In case you haven’t heard, I am entering a new mission field in January. At that time I will join the faculty of Wiley College, a United Methodist school in Marshall, full time. Many have asked, “Why are you quitting … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Growth Drivers

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Richard Heyduck

We United Methodists have been rather obsessed with growth of late. Unfortunately, our obsession seems to be often driven by a fear of decline. We know the reality of decline too well. Many of our churches are shrinking, many are … Continue reading →

Posted in church growth, Discipleship, Perry Noble, United Methodism | 1 Comment