Resources
be transformed Romans 12:2
Thinking deeply
At Boston Avenue United Methodist, we embrace a reasoned approach to faith and scripture. Boston Avenue has never been a church where congregants had to “leave their brain at the door” in order to accept church teachings. We are not made uncomfortable with the confluence of science and faith and do not seek to deny one to accept the other.
Ask A Theologian
Explore your questions with our theologian in residence, the Rev. Dr. Gary Peluso-Verdend!
Send your question to theologian@bostonavenue.org. Tell a story about why that is an important question for you. Include feelings you may have about the question/issue. Gary does not pretend to be an expert in all theological matters but he can provide examples on how to think theologically.
Ask A Theologian: How Do You Develop Your Own Theology?
You often mention something about developing your own theology. What are some steps one can take to do that? Response: A good place to start is to pay attention to how one is already “doing theology.” Pascal wrote about each person having a god-shaped hole in the...
Ask A Theologian: What Books or Authors Shaped Your Thinking as a Theologian?
What were some books or authors important in shaping your thinking as a theologian? Response: It is time for me to downsize my library. We will soon announce the Sundays during which several hundred beloved books will be for sale in the church library—with proceeds...
Ask A Theologian: How Might We Communicate Better with People with Whom We Disagree?
It seems so hard to listen accurately and speak in a way that is helpful, especially with people with whom we disagree. How might we communicate better? Response: The letters of Paul in the New Testament are full of advice, admonition, commands, and practical tips on...
Appreciating reason
In our 2018 all-church survey, more than half of respondents included comments of appreciation for our church’s history of “thinking deeply.” Indeed, this commitment to thinking deeply stems from our United Methodist faith, and is particularly tied to the Wesleyan quadrilateral of scripture, tradition, experience, and reason, laid out in our United Methodist Book of Discipline.
“Faith Working Through Love” with Rev. David Wiggs is a six-session series over the book “Faith Working Through Love”. In an easy to follow question-and-answer format, the book and class recap basic teachings and practices of Christian faith and underscore the core convictions of United Methodists.
Session 1: "Faith Working Through Love" with Rev. David Wiggs
Session 2: "Faith Working Through Love" with Rev. David Wiggs
Session 3: "Faith Working Through Love" with Rev. David Wiggs
Session 4: "Faith Working Through Love" with Rev. David Wiggs
Session 5: "Faith Working Through Love" with Rev. David Wiggs
Session 6: "Faith Working Through Love" with Rev. David Wiggs
Exploring
The faithful exploration of different viewpoints and challenging topics is deeply embedded into the tradition of Boston Avenue UMC.
Dealing with controversy
“Dealing with Controversy in the United Methodist Church” was a six-part series initially published in 2016 in “The Word,” Boston Avenue’s weekly newspaper. Revised in 2017, it presents some ideas from Reverend David Wiggs regarding human sexuality, and how we might engage with each other and our faith when we disagree on issues.
Faithful explorations series
Several years following the publication of our “Dealing with Controversy” series, and it is clear that there are a number of topics which might benefit from faithful exploration, especially in our current politically divisive environment. This Faithful Explorations series was published in Boston Avenue’s weekly newspaper in Fall of 2022 as a starting point for exploring these challenging topics and social issues. As with the initial series, we recommend the tools of our Methodist heritage, including our United Methodist Book of Discipline, and the Wesleyan Quadrilateral.
But what does the bible say?
“What the Bible Says, or Doesn’t Say, about Homosexuality” by Rev. Dr. Lisa W. Davison, presented as part of our 2016 Holy Conversations series.
Studying
The Boston Avenue library houses roughly 3,400 volumes, plus a number of current periodicals and newspapers, available for members and guests to use. The collection is maintained by our librarian, Matt Christian, and all volumes, except for special reference books, are available for checkout.
Special collections include topics such as parenting, cancer care, and United Women in Faith studies, in addition to a collection of books for children.
Being Transformed
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, on the basis of God’s mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable act of worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:1-2 (NRSVUE)
Worship Here
Join us on a Sunday morning and explore your faith in a meaningful and reasoned way, where you don’t have to check your mind at the door!