Blog
- November 26, 2014
Beginning next week in Advent, I want to explore how Presbyteries can be proactive in building communities among churches in…
, - November 24, 2014
A POWERFUL WITNESS Can you think of any more important challenge that a presbytery has than working to prevent the…
, - November 21, 2014
MOVING FROM FALSE IMPRESSIONS TO VIRTUES As I mentioned in my last blog, I know that I cannot control the…
- November 19, 2014
we all leave impressions There is no way that we can live in this world without leaving impressions with people…
- November 14, 2014
Think Before You Act OK, this is not a Christmas blog, but it is about making a list. Recently I…
, - November 12, 2014
Be Intentional Advent is supposed to be a time of preparation and expectation for Christians. For a pastor, it is…
, - November 7, 2014
Top Ten Reasons Not to Go to Church 10. Once when I was sick the church didn’t visit me, so…
, , - November 5, 2014
Perspective of Pastor’s Wife Recently I mentioned to, Nancy Johnson, the spouse of a clergy friend that I was blogging…
, - October 31, 2014
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT Think about the church that you’d like to serve. What are ten things that you’d like…
- October 29, 2014
CLERGY TALES--TAILS: WHO WAGS THE DOG Ministers are strong and weak, faithful and faithless, as are the members of…
, - October 24, 2014
God Laughs—Why Don’t You Ministry is not easy. The strongest and most compassionate clergy continually drink in the pain and…
, , - October 17, 2014
A TIME OF TRANSITION Every church experiences a time when the previous pastor leaves and the congregation confronts the challenge…
, , - October 15, 2014
A FRESH APPROACH A Company of Pastors offers a fresh approach to overcoming the type of loneliness that seems inherent…
, - October 10, 2014
(Continuing reflecting on Elijah and you and your call.) GOD'S INVISIBLE HAND Keep moving forward through your first position in…
, - October 8, 2014
YOUR ELIJAH EXPERIENCE I’ve been thinking lately of Elijah’s experience in responding to the call of God 1 Kings 17…
, - October 3, 2014
BEYOND JUST PUTTING OUT FIRES I have invited Alan Baroody to share some suggestions that the Committee on Ministry or…
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TAKING A SNAPSHOT OF PRESBYTERY
August 15, 2018
THIS IS OUR PRESBYTERY Take a presbytery directory that includes ordained pastors, commissioned ruling elders, specialized ministries, and retired pastors,…
Fun Way to Energize and Bond the Judicatory
August 10, 2018
STIMULATE THE IMAGINATION Even though our judicatories (in my case a presbytery) meet together occasionally, we often are so busy…
CARE ENOUGH TO BE INSPIRED BY THE VERY BEST
August 8, 2018
Excerpt from my new book CLERGY PHYSICAL HEALTH about the Presbyterian health plan for clergy. Other denominations have similar programs. …
Do People See Jesus in the church?
August 3, 2018
Matthew 18:15-20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them. — Matthew 18:20…
FRIENDLY (FUN) COMPETITION AMONG A GATHERING OF CLERGY
August 1, 2018
PEOPLE OF THE BOOK Because we are people of the Book, it is good to call on Scripture as we…
SOME TRUTHS ABOUT THE LIFE OF CLERGY (by some church members.)
July 27, 2018
Some truths about the life of clergy: (whether we like them or not.) 1. Clergy are called by God but hired…
A PASTOR’S STRATEGY IN AN ANXIOUS WORLD
July 25, 2018
IT HELPS TO LAUGH On my website, www.smccutchan.com, you will find God Laughs–Why Don’t You? : Making Use of Humor in…
YOU PASTOR AN ANXIOUS CONGREGATION
July 20, 2018
(CONTINUING TO LOOK AT VULNERABILITY AND ANXIETY FROM TED TALK BY BRENE’ BROWN as applied to the pastorate.) HIDING FROM…
HOW TO PASTOR IN AN ANXIOUS CONGREGATION
July 18, 2018
DO YOU LIVE IN AN ANXIOUS SOCIETY? (I am drawing upon Brene’ Brown’s work on vulnerability and applying it to…
A GAME TO BUILD COMMUNITY IN A CHURCH OR AMONG CLERGY
July 13, 2018
MAJORITY RULES This is an adaption of a community building game adapted to a church community. The set up for…