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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IMPERFECT CHURCHES WITH IMPERFECT PASTORS
February 3, 2014
In the final section of Volume two of Clergy Tales—Tails, amzn.to/1a1uCI6, the author offers some reflections on ministry and the nature…
PREJUDICE AND A CONGREGATION’S COMFORT
January 31, 2014
These questions are based on the short story, The Tempting Fruit, in Volume 2, Clergy Tales–Tails: Wagging, Friendly but Exhausting,…
A Path to Clergy Addiction
January 29, 2014
This discussion is based on the second story in volume 2, Clergy Tales–Tails: Wagging, Friendly but Exhausting. amzn.to/1a1uCI6 Enjoy the…
CLERGY ENVY
January 27, 2014
The next several blogs guide the discussion drawn from Volume 2, Clergy Tales–Tails: Wagging, Friendly but Exhausting. amzn.to/1a1uCI6 . While…
WHAT IS MEANT BY UNHEALTHY CLERGY
January 24, 2014
WHAT DO HEALTHY CLERGY LOOK LIKE? You may have read some of the recent articles concerning the declining health of…
Reflections on the story Your Brother’s Blood
January 22, 2014
WELCOME AND CATCHING UP Each time you gather, there should be ample time to check in with each other. Sometimes…
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…