Blog
- July 9, 2010
"What are you doing here, Elijah?" Remember the context of that profound question. Elijah had been working hard combating the…
, , - July 8, 2010
The Lawrence Schmidt Center newsletter recently published an article by Dr. George Morelli on Clergy Fatigue and Burnout, in which…
, - July 7, 2010
A pastor experiences a cacophony of emotions ranging from ecstasy to utter despair from the various people s/he encounters. Medical…
, - July 6, 2010
Clergy are frequently the first people contacted when members and non-members experience mental distress. We can be cynical and say…
, - July 5, 2010
Hopefully you have given yourself permission to take this day off and be with your family, or if you are…
, - July 2, 2010
Some final thoughts on what can help multiple staff relationships. First, a yearly planning retreat in which you take a…
, - July 1, 2010
One of the strengths of the Presbyterian faith is its understanding that you don't have to be perfect to do…
, - June 30, 2010
You've introduced your new staff member to some key figures in the congregation and encouraged that person to take some…
, - June 29, 2010
In most cases when you bring on a new staff person, they are moving from another community. Sometimes we forget…
, - June 28, 2010
A church expends a lot of energy in seeking and hiring a new staff person. Then s/he comes and people…
, - June 25, 2010
After a number of active exercises, you could then move to a more reflective aspect of the retreat. There is…
, - June 24, 2010
Being part of a minister's family is different from being in other families. Not only are you in a 24…
, - June 23, 2010
One of the ways that pastors develop support for themselves is building friendships with other pastors that they can occasionally…
, - June 22, 2010
Over my years of ministry, I can clearly remember when someone in the congregation recognized a particularly difficult time for…
, - June 21, 2010
One of the ways that a presbytery or governing body can help families of clergy is by helping them realize…
, - June 16, 2010
You can do the exercise I'm suggesting by yourself, with your spouse, or with the entire family. It will be…
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Never Off the Clock
January 20, 2014
GUIDING THE DISCUSSION It is important to not exhaust people in the discussion and to allow plenty of time for…
SHARED LONELINESS OF PASTORS
January 17, 2014
COMMON EXPERIENCE One of the challenges in building a group among clergy is to help them understand that there are…
What Do All Pastors share in common
January 15, 2014
A SHARED REALITY This first meeting of your exploratory company of pastors is critical. It is important to establish some…
IT BEGINS WITH COMMUNITY
January 13, 2014
BUILDING A COMPANY OF PASTORS Here is the challenge. Most presbytery executives and COM chairs feel overwhelmed by the task…
CLERGY NEED EACH OTHER
January 10, 2014
SWIMMING AGAINST THE STREAM You are called by God to offer ministry in this real world. Regardless of your theological…
Sharing the Word Through Fiction
January 8, 2014
I ADMIT THAT I AM EXCITED As many of you know, this past September I published a mystery novel, A…
Some Humor to Begin 2014
January 6, 2014
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS with interpretation By Steve McCutchan 1. YOU SHALL HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME: Unless those gods…
First Thought in the New Year
January 3, 2014
2014 It’s 2014 and the year begins. Well, for most pastors it is a mixed bag of beginning and continuing.…
Christmas Hope and Your Ministry
December 27, 2013
GOD SPEAKS IN THE UNEXPECTED Consider the conditions for the birth of Christ or the birth of the Word of…
It’s Almost Here — for You Too
December 23, 2013
EXPERIENCE YOUR OWN ADVENT JOY You’ve been through the four Sundays of Advent and all the extra events designed to…