Blog
- February 28, 2012
As a basis for this reflection, let me tie together two separate passages. The first is from Genesis 2:18, "Then…
, , - February 27, 2012
What most members and society do not recognize with respect to the role of clergy is the sheer loneliness that…
, , - February 24, 2012
Another category of expectations that is often overlooked is that of the public's expectation for congregations. While many in our…
, , - February 23, 2012
If you want to identify some of the key factors in clergy dropping out, there are probably few areas that…
, , - February 22, 2012
Whether with your email colleagues or with some group within the church, it is worthwhile to use the same categories…
, - February 21, 2012
I want to suggest that you try an experiment in testing out the pressure of expectations in your profession. Choose…
, - February 20, 2012
There is a certain tyranny as well as a blessing to the expectations, internal and external, with regards to being…
, - February 17, 2012
The second area that I suggested may be a factor in clergy dropping out of the profession is the sheer…
, - February 16, 2012
Continuing our discussion about the disconnect between what you expected when you first sensed God's call and the reality you…
, - February 15, 2012
One of the incredible turning points in Israel's journey of faith was how those unique individuals known as the prophets…
, - February 14, 2012
Let's take these causes for clergy dropping out of the ministry one at a time. First, some people experience a…
, - February 13, 2012
Last Monday, before I took a break to attend a conference, I asked you to jot down a list of…
, - February 6, 2012
In a 2005 survey by the Board of Pensions, the dropout rate among clergy in the first five years has…
, - February 3, 2012
Another significant issue with respect to vocation and the future of the church is our response to other servants of…
, - February 2, 2012
We have been looking at vocation or God's call from the perspective of the corporate body of the church. Now…
, - February 1, 2012
We are viewing the future of the church from the perspective of God's call. What is the church's vocation? Yesterday…
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Sabbaticals, Our Humanity, and Presbyteries
January 20, 2016
PRESBYTERY WITNESS Since we live in a secular society that has lost its appreciation for the Sabbath, and churches…
SEVEN PRACTICAL STEPS TOWARDS A SABBATICAL
January 15, 2016
LET THE PLANNING BEGIN First Find information on how to apply for a grant to help pay for your…
A SABBATICAL AS A FAITHFUL ACT
January 13, 2016
INTERPRETING TO THE CONGREGATION Let me begin by providing you some resources to use in interpreting the need for sabbaticals…
YOUR MODERN DAY PARABLE
January 8, 2016
NINE TIPS FOR YOUR EXPERIMENT IN MODERN PARABLES. Let me suggest some easy steps to releasing the short story…
WHAT IF . . .
January 6, 2016
(TWELVE WAYS YOU CAN BE A WINNER!!!!) WHAT IF you actually wrote a short story and submitted it to the…
MY CHRISTMAS GREETING TO ALL OF YOU
December 23, 2015
THIS WEEK WILL DRAIN YOU OF ENERGY AND HOPEFULLY FILL YOU WITH SATISFACTION. DRINK IN THE POSITIVE SET ALL NEGATIVE…
WHAT WAS JESUS THINKING?
December 18, 2015
PRACTICE THINKING LIKE JESUS Jesus wrote parables that confronted major issues in the society. You can too. The third phase…
ENRICHING A PASTORAL COUPLE’S ADVENT
December 16, 2015
THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM Let me suggest an evening conversation for a pastoral couple that can be both fun…
THE FERTILE FIELD OF COMPLAINTS (3)
December 11, 2015
DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING In the past two blogs, I’ve offered a creative way to engage complaints both among clergy and with…
The Fertile Field of Complaints (2)
December 9, 2015
LEARNING TO PLAY What if you could engage the members of your congregation in thinking creatively about the complaints that…