Author: Jeff Hampton

For Wilshire Baptist Church

What a great moment it was on Sunday morning to witness George Mason, our pastor, dedicate his first grandson. I had a back-row seat—but a great seat nonetheless—by watching it from the Narthex. I was there because when George dedicates a baby he carries the child up one aisle, through the Narthex, and back down the other aisle. To make sure he can travel safely and keep both hands on the child, we open the doors. And when I say “we” open the doors, I mean ushers and greeters.

Continue reading “Opening Doors”

For Wilshire Baptist Church

I’ve been mocked for using AOL for my email service. I was told it was “an antique.” That came from a friend who apparently had just noticed for the first time that my personal email is through AOL. He was kidding me, but still it made me feel a little self-conscious.  Continue reading “Attitude On Line”

For Wilshire Baptist Church

I’ve always been obsessed with liner notes – printed on the packages of vinyl records and some CDs – that list musicians and sometimes explain the meanings and motivations behind the songs. When I was younger I’d lie back on my bed and read the notes while listening to a new record. Now I search the internet for the backstories on my latest music download. I like to know what was inside the artists’ heads and hearts when they wrote a verse or worked out a tune.  Continue reading “Blessed be the complainers”