Blog
- October 14, 2009
Presbytery, or any denominational judicatory, needs to strategize about how to offer support to a pastor's family. I'm certainly thinking…
- October 13, 2009
Let me identify some theological assump[tions undergirding this idea. First I believe that the church is the Body of Christ.…
- October 12, 2009
I was recently at a church service while the pastor was away. During the service they announced that during the…
- October 9, 2009
There has been a lot of talk lately about the need for creative leadership in the church. Recognizing that in…
- October 8, 2009
This past weekend I had a wonderful experience that created an idea about how congregations can affirm God's call to…
- October 5, 2009
The single pastor or educator should invite another colleague or two or three to share in the conversational game. It…
- October 2, 2009
Now for the couple whose children have already departed from the home. Below are 29 questions that you should place…
- October 1, 2009
Below are a set of questions for a ministerial couple who do not have children. If you have not read…
- September 30, 2009
Below are 27 questions that you should place on individual 3 x 5 cards and shuffle them so that there…
- September 29, 2009
When was the last time that you had a fairly indepth conversation about your experience of ministry? If you have…
- September 23, 2009
I want to build on yesterday's discussion about how a church behaves when expectations of leaders are not met. First,…
- September 22, 2009
I recently talked to a pastor about a negative termination experience at a church. It recalled for me several times…
- September 17, 2009
When a clergy person or a prominent church leader engages in activity that betrays the trust of the congregation, it…
- September 16, 2009
It is difficult for either clergy or congregations to raise the question of boundaries. For the clergy, being asked to…
- September 15, 2009
One of the sadder realities of the change in ministry is the necessity of reviewing our boundaries with respect to…
- September 14, 2009
One of the great quanderies that has evolved in ministry is how to set boundaries in interpersonal relationships. This ranges…
Truth & Consequences (Conclusion)
May 27, 2013
We come to the conclusion of this story. If you have enjoyed it, I would like to hear from you.…
Healthy Clergy Make Healthy Congregations
May 24, 2013
There is a lot of scary news about declining churches, splitting churches, scandals in churches, bankrupt churches, and despairing churches.…
Did God Make Mistakes 50% of Time
May 22, 2013
The Schaeffer Institute, who has studied the life of clergy for several decades, recently reported that 50 % of clergy…
Truth & Consequences: A Pastor Confronts Sexuality (Part 7)
May 20, 2013
Part 7 — The pastor tries to refocus the conversation. ********************** “The real issue that we need to deal with…
5 Ways to obey Jesus’ Commandment for Christian Unity
May 17, 2013
Five ways to obey Jesus new commandment to his disciples. John 13:34: “I give you a new commandment, that you…
Litany for Life’s Journey
May 15, 2013
Recently I was asked to preach and lead worship at my 50th College reunion at Muskingum University in New Concord,…
Truth & Consequences: part 6
May 13, 2013
Now we hear what the husband told his wife about what happened. If you were the pastor, how would you…
What Would You Say to a Congregation?
May 10, 2013
I have worked as pastor, consultant, and friend to congregations for over forty years. I have watched them endure bad…
5 Reasons U Care about Healthy Clergy & 5 Things U Can Do About It.
May 8, 2013
You care about clergy because: You believe that God calls clergy to ministry. A divine source sparked their choice of…
Truth & Consequences: A Pastor Confronts Sexuality
May 6, 2013
Part 5 Wrestling with Scripture in Counseling. As you read the story, try to picture how you might have responded…