We live in an age of deep anxiety with waves of despair that rob the community of both a sense…

there is an interesting article on the Evangelical Lutheran Board of Pensions Website on the value of laughter. I highly…

A lot of people find comfort in stroking a dogs fur and nuzzling them. Some clergy get in trouble because…

I know that you have heard the saying that a dog is a man’s best friend. I saw a news…

One final suggestion might be finding room for some intentional humor in the midst of some of our denominational gatherings.…

Laughter can also have a positive effect within a congregation. People who share a good laugh together are more likely…

Let’s begin with our denominational bonds and our relations with other denominational churches. I’m Presbyterian but, regardless of the denomination…

The diversity of theological positions in any given church or denomination presents a challenge in building a sense of community.…

As I mentioned Friday, I think that the current publicity over the scandal in the Catholic Church will have a…

Regardless of what branch of Christianity you are a part of, be aware of the tremendous challenge posed by the…

A friend and colleague in ministry, J. Herbert Nelson, has just been appointed to head the Washington Office of the…

Real leaders nurture and support other leaders. If the type of leadership that our churches need in this chaotic time…

What are the questions that the lay leadership should be exploring with the people they have called to be spiritual…

For those who participate in congregations that are part of some sort of connectional systems, we need to look at…

How can a congregation, its leadership, and its pastors support some innovative leadership even as it seeks good management? I…

How can a congregation support their pastor in being a leader? You’ve heard the usual introduction of a pastoral search…

I think it was in an article by Gil Rendle of the Alban Institute that I first saw the difference…

It is clear from all the research that the church is facing some major challenges. Our cultural anti-institutional bias militates…

One of the most powerful gifts that a congregation can experience is the power of genuine hospitality. The modern church…

Some churches and individual Christians are very good at quoting Scripture in support of their positions. Many mainstream congregations are…