Blog
- January 8, 2010
Forgiveness goes far beyond the demonstration of acceptance of one who comes to you. Jesus was very clear that his…
- January 7, 2010
Second Session: 9:00: Prayer and Explanation of Use of Scripture. 9:10:Building on work of Session 1. Step 3: Take one…
, - January 6, 2010
I have been designing a retreat for a local church on listening to God's call for their church. I will…
- January 5, 2010
Rebecca Spooner, Director of the Laurence Schmidt Center, publishes a good newsletter that focuses on clergy wellness. You can contact…
- December 22, 2009
I will be away for a couple of weeks but I leave whoever is reading this a song composed by…
- December 18, 2009
There is a real issue of post-Christmas blues that can set in for church staff as well as members. It…
- December 17, 2009
The statistics on the health of pastors is growing increasingly disturbing. There are some actions that a Presbytery or even…
- December 16, 2009
How does a congregation support the physical health of their pastor? Let's say that you recognize that your pastor is…
- December 15, 2009
Recently I have heard about a course that is making the rounds of churches that focuses on helping members reflect…
- December 14, 2009
We need to re-explore the power of liturgies in our lives. Consider the basic structure of worship as it is…
- December 11, 2009
As we think about ministry to veterans, let me remind you of some aspects of the concept of Sabbath. It…
- December 10, 2009
We have some significant resources in our faith that can assist us in being supportive to returned soldiers. As you…
- December 9, 2009
Kathy Platoni, a Clinical Psychologist who has worked in this field has identified some signs to look for that might…
- December 8, 2009
A website, www.hand2handcontact.org offers 10 things you should know about returning veterans. You can go to their website for the…
- December 7, 2009
I am concerned that there is a ticking clock in our society that is going to affect churches, pastors, and…
- December 4, 2009
I think that it is important to build into a pastor's sabbatical experience a positive way in which the congregation…
Top Ten Reasons Not to Go to Church
August 2, 2013
With apologies to David Letterman, this is my list. You probably can come up with even better ones. It’s better…
The Biggest Challenges to a Pastor’s Sanity
July 31, 2013
I am away this week at the annual conference of the Presbytery Pastoral Care Network that is meeting prior to…
God’s Call — A poem
July 29, 2013
I’m not so sure That God called me I am a pastor The Spirit is gone The elders are…
Volume 3, Clergy Tales–Tails: When God Wags the Tale
July 26, 2013
The third volume of Clergy Tales–Tails is now available on Kindle on Amazon. You can, and I hope you will…
More Lies Churches Like to Believe
July 24, 2013
Was Jesus Being Naieve We call it The Great Commission. Go therefore and make disciples of all Nations, baptizing them…
Lies Christian Churches Like to Tell Themselves
July 22, 2013
Failure of the Reformation I’ve been thinking about all of the fighting that goes on among our churches and the…
A Fun Exercise for a Church to Deepen Their Faith
July 19, 2013
Here is one way to offer your congregation an opportunity to grow in their faith as a church and as…
How Daily Events Can Teach Us Theology
July 17, 2013
The Game of Theology Buy yourself a package of 3 x 5 cards and stick a few in your pocket…
6 Ways Healthy Clergy are like Rubber Bands
July 15, 2013
Recently studies of clergy health like the Duke Clergy Health study, have emphasized the quality of resiliency as important for…
One Future for Denominations
July 12, 2013
In reading Thomas Friedman’s The World is Flat I was struck with its implications for denominationalism. One of the problems…