Adam Hamilton and Me

Adam Hamilton and Me April 25, 2015

Adam Hamilton is founding pastor of the largest United Methodist congregation in the U.S. Church of the Resurrection (Leawood, KS) has twenty-one thousand members and is growing.

Yesterday (Friday, April 24, 2015) I spent much of the day with Adam at his church (in suburban Kansas City). He graciously agreed to interview me for a DVD Abingdon Press is creating for the leader’s guide to go along with my forthcoming book Counterfeit Christianity (Abingdon’s assigned title, not my preferred title). The book is about ancient Christian heresies that are still around today (plus three strictly contemporary heresies).

It was a very warm reunion. Adam was among my first theology students in 1982 when I began my teaching career. He was in my “Introduction to Theology” classes as an undergraduate. I take great joy in seeing his success in ministry. I hope I had some little part in that.

Adam’s newest book is Making Sense of the Bible: Rediscovering the Power of Scripture Today (HarperOne, 2014). It is his seventeenth book. (We are even as to number of books published, but he’s much younger so this is a case of the student surpassing the teacher!)

I am very proud of Adam and many other of my students–past and present. Among them are some outstanding young theologians such as Keith Johnson (Wheaton College) as well as many pastors, chaplains and effect church lay leaders.

Because of some potential issues with my scheduled flights to KC for this event I drove–just so I wouldn’t miss this opportunity to be reunited with Adam. It was an eleven hour drive each way but well worth it. I make the time pass easily by listening to books on my ipod and also listening to hymns and gospel songs I’ve downloaded from itunes. I pretty much only download songs I grew up singing or hearing and that nobody (in my circles) sings or records anymore. When I’m alone in the car I sing along with them–often off key, I’m sure. But it’s a real blessing to me and makes the miles fly by.


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