Blog
- January 24, 2011
At the same retreat that I mentioned on Friday, I also led a session on how to guide a congregation…
, - January 21, 2011
I recently led a Community on Ministry retreat on the care of clergy. During that time I led the following…
, - January 19, 2011
When a pastor is speaking hard truths to a congregation, s/he needs to recognize several things. First, there is a…
, , - January 18, 2011
When you study the prophets, it is clear that they were not just criticizing conditions in their society. Certainly that…
, , - January 17, 2011
On this day when we celebrate Martin Luther King's birthday, it is interesting to reflect on the role of churches…
, - January 14, 2011
A new pastor arrives and s/he has been called to be a spiritual leader of this congregation. It is so…
, - January 13, 2011
If you overemphasize the message that the congregation needs to care for the pastor, it begins to feel like the…
, - January 12, 2011
Your new pastor is about to become the church's pastor. Everybody wants this to be a healthy and productive beginning…
, - January 11, 2011
A major challenge for not only the pastor but the pastor's family is how to get a sense of the…
, - January 10, 2011
OK, you've completed the process of identifying a new pastor for the congregation, making the offer and having it accepted,…
, - January 7, 2011
An important message that you want to convey to the prospective pastor is your acknowledgment that stress in the ministry…
- January 6, 2011
A PNC can convey from the beginning that they are interested in supporting the pastor in having a healthy pastorate.…
- January 5, 2011
The church, like most other professions, is increasingly faced with the complex dynamics of the family in our society. It…
- January 4, 2011
A second phase of your conversation with your prospective new pastor needs to be around salary expectations and benefits but…
- January 3, 2011
Let's focus for a few sessions on what a Pastoral Nominating Committee (PNC) should do in preparation for the new…
- December 31, 2010
Yesterday, we reflected on theological doctrines that spoke to your spiritual journey. Now, on New Year's Eve, I invite you…
, ,
HEALTHY CLERGY MAKE HEALTHY CONGREGATIONS
August 11, 2014
CLERGY DON’T HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER Clergy, like all humans, come to their work with all the wounds, hungers, insecurities,…
Unhealthy Vrs. Healthy Churches
August 8, 2014
(Thoughts derived from reflecting on 2 TED talks by Brene’ Brown www.ted.com/talks/brene’_brown) as applied to churches .) This is the…
PROTECTING AND CONNECTING WITH OTHER CLERGY
August 6, 2014
THE SHAME OF IT ALL (A continuation of reflections on Brene’ Brown’s TED talks on Vulnerability and Shame.) Brown suggests…
Why Clergy Are Cautious Around Other Clergy
August 4, 2014
CAN OTHER CLERGY BE MY FRIEND? In my work on the issue of loneliness and isolation among clergy, I have…
GOD SWIMS AGAINST THE TIDE
August 1, 2014
CONSIDER WHAT WAS ON GOD’S MIND God said: “I’ll create humans with free will.” Satan sneered: “I’ll defeat you…
Imperfect Churches With Imperfect Pastors
July 30, 2014
These reflections on the church and clergy are drawn from my new book, A Company of Pastors, that will be…
The Center of the Church
July 28, 2014
1 CORINTHIANS 13 FOR CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS (May be prayed in unison or in alternating parts.) If clergy speak in…
Why Spiritual but Not Religious
July 25, 2014
SPIRITUALLY HUNGRY BUT DISTRUST INSTITUTIONS The polls all show that the numbers of those who want to be spiritual but…
Why Congregations Should Care About Clergy Health
July 23, 2014
A THEOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK No one wants to appear like a wimp. If a clergy person starts talking about how people…
Interim Pastors Have a Unique Gift to Offer
July 21, 2014
AN INTERIM’S VALUABLE ROLE In recent years, the role of interim pastor has become almost a norm for vacant churches.…