THE EMOTIONAL LIFE OF A PASTOR The very nature of ministry engages one in the emotional roller coaster of engaging…

BREAKING THROUGH MY SHELL iF +/?% would stop messing with me and my ministry, I think I could be lovable.…

SEXUAL SCANDAL PLAGUES THE CHURCH It happened again. A descent pastor with multiple gifts destroys his promising ministry by having…

Grace Redeeming Betrayal   I am not suggesting that we should “sin boldly so that grace might abound” but that…

When Congregations Experience Betrayal I led a presbytery retreat on how to guide a congregation when they have experienced betrayal…

WITH THE REPORT OF CHURCH SCANDALS IN MIND, LET US MOVE BEYOND THE SCANDAL AND EXPLORE REDEMPTIVE POSSIBILITIES. Redemptive Possibilities…

The Betrayal of a Pastor The news of the scandal in the Catholic church seems to bring glee to the…

INVITING REFLECTION As the spiritual leader of a people, you preach, teach, counsel, and pray with your people. What do…

THIS IS OUR PRESBYTERY Take a presbytery directory that includes ordained pastors, commissioned ruling elders, specialized ministries, and retired pastors,…

STIMULATE THE IMAGINATION Even though our judicatories (in my case a presbytery) meet together occasionally, we often are so busy…

Excerpt from my new book CLERGY PHYSICAL HEALTH  about the Presbyterian health plan for clergy. Other denominations have similar programs. …

Matthew 18:15-20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them. — Matthew 18:20…

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: (whether we like them or not.) 1. Clergy are called by God but hired…

IT HELPS TO LAUGH On my website, www.smccutchan.com, you will find God Laughs–Why Don’t You? : Making Use of Humor in…

(CONTINUING TO LOOK AT VULNERABILITY AND ANXIETY FROM TED TALK BY BRENE’ BROWN as applied to the pastorate.) HIDING FROM…

DO YOU LIVE IN AN ANXIOUS SOCIETY? (I am  drawing upon Brene’ Brown’s work on vulnerability and applying it to…

MAJORITY RULES This is an adaption of a community building game adapted to a church community. The set up for…

I’m away for a few days, but I offer you this outline that I recently offered a writing class that…

CAN YOU SAVE THE CHURCH? As the early church discovered, you can’t do it alone and you can’t do it…