Blog
- November 2, 2010
“I’m not so sure it changed. Maybe I got better at hiding behind the curtain. There was one event, however,…
, - November 1, 2010
Carla glanced down at the table and noticed some initials carved into the table. She traced the carving with her…
- October 29, 2010
The coffee had grown cold during their conversation. They didn’t seem to notice. Al reached across the table and touched…
- October 28, 2010
“Do you know what my ministry is? Carla asked. “I know it has something to do with the border ministry…
- October 27, 2010
One of the shaggy haired waiters arrived immediately and asked how he could serve them. They ordered a dark-roasted Columbian…
- October 26, 2010
Two weeks ago, the email arrived. Carla was invited to address a meeting of his presbytery about her Hispanic ministry.…
- October 25, 2010
Over the next couple of weeks I want to share a short story I've written probing our sense of God's…
- October 22, 2010
Finally let us look at our spiritual health. It is easy to let the demands of the practice of ministry…
, - October 21, 2010
We didn't enter this profession with the expectation of making a lot of money. At the same time, especially if…
, - October 20, 2010
A long time ago, I heard a Catholic author refer to the family as our domestic church. That has always…
, - October 19, 2010
We are going through a difficult time for clergy. There is clear evidence that the stress and demands of ministry…
, - October 18, 2010
OK, last week we spent time on ways to take your vocational health. Now I want to suggest it is…
, - October 15, 2010
Following lunch, immediately jot down any reflections that have occurred to you over this break. Next, even if you have…
, - October 14, 2010
Following your devotions, return to your workplace. If it is allowed, pour yourself some coffee or cold drink. If that…
, - October 13, 2010
You have now arrived at the church, found the library, and set up your work space. You probably should have…
, - October 12, 2010
At least once every five years, I think it is important to pause and check one's vocational pulse. You need…
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ON LEAVING WELL (2)
May 28, 2014
SAYING A GOOD GOODBYE We continue to think about how a well loved pastor should prepare the congregation for the…
ON LEAVING WELL
May 26, 2014
HEALTHY PASTORATES FEEL GOOD If you have had a good experience as pastor of a church over several years, then…
How Can You Say God Called You?
May 23, 2014
THE AWEFUL CALL It is awful to be called by God in the original sense of the word. Consider the…
WHY ARE CLERGY TEMPTED BY SEX?
May 21, 2014
SEXUAL SCANDAL PLAGUES THE CHURCH It happened again. A descent pastor with multiple gifts destroys his promising ministry by having…
A LAUGH A DAY KEEPS THE DEMONS AWAY
May 19, 2014
I’m developing a series called “Healthy Clergy Make Healthy Congregations.” (HCMHC). All of it is in preparation for the fall…
LOOKING BACK TO LOOK AHEAD
May 16, 2014
OK, SO YOU HAVE RETIRED I retired in June of 2006. The first thing I wanted to do was find…
RETIRED PASTORS ARE STILL PASTORS
May 14, 2014
I’VE RUN THE RACE A few years before I retired, the Presbyterian Church debated whether Honorably Retired should be the…
Litany of Appreciation for Entire Church Staff
May 12, 2014
This is a litany making use of Psalm 111. Draw upon what you have heard about the gifts and contributions…
A PARTY CELEBRATING ALL PASTORS
May 9, 2014
CONGREGATIONAL INITIATIVE The celebration of the ministry of a church’s staff needs to be initiated by the congregational leadership. This…
Associate Pastors are Pastors Too
May 7, 2014
HALF PASTORS OR WHOLE PASTORS If we tend to neglect appreciating the work of pastors, we double that neglect when…