THE NEW NORMAL Now we are entering the debate as to when we can return to how life used to…

Ways Healthy Clergy are like Rubber Bands Recently studies of clergy health like the Duke Clergy Health study have emphasized…

LEARNING HOW TO BE TOGETHER ALONE In my last post, I suggested that to provide spiritual leadership in this time…

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.…

If you can’t “JUST DO IT,” FAKE IT OK, be honest, as you are waiting in line at the grocery…

BLUES BE GONE COUNTER-ATTACKING THE BLUES In our current crisis, it is very easy for us to feel anxious, uneasy,…

HALF-HOUR BREAKS In this time of stress, we need to develop a list of ½ hour interruptions that we can…

STAYING AT HOME CAN BE A CHURCH BUILDING OPPORTUNITY During this time when you congregation and friends are staying in…

LIVING IN AN AGE OF ANXIETY If you believe God can confront chaos and begin to bring order by speaking…

Make Laughter a Habit Laughter is about being present. When you laugh you enjoy the here and now. There are…

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS WITH INTERPRETATION By Steve McCutchen YOU SHALL HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME: Unless those gods pay…

THE RISE OF ANXIETY We can see it in our congregations and in the society around us. There is a…

SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP It appears that we may be moving as a society into a period of both limited lockdowns as…

Transforming Quarantine into Sabbath The meaning of the Sabbath was a deliberate opportunity to step aside from productivity and responsibilities…

OF COURSE FAITHFUL PEOPLE FEEL ANXIOUS Being anxious is not wrong. There are plenty of reasons why people might have…

RESPONDING TO ANXIETY How does it feel to be anxious?                  Write three quick sentences in response to that question.…

SURPRISED BY GRACE Recently I had an experience that transformed an abstract idea into an experiential truth. I was coming…

THE ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE PROJECT Purpose is to explore the impact of clergy extending unsolicited and unanticipated appreciation for another…

          Psalm 31:1-5, 19-24 You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide…

BEFORE THE BEGINNING Consider what happens before the new pastor arrives at a congregation. Let me describe some of the events as…