Blog
- May 24, 2010
If you want to combat acedia at any phase of your life or want to explore the future as you…
- May 21, 2010
I found a combination of some spiritual disciplines and paying attention to some unexpected experiences in life helped me listen…
- May 20, 2010
Yesterday I spoke of the temptation to acedia that can accompany your final years of active ministry. I mentioned that…
- May 19, 2010
I've talked to several pastors lately who are entering the final decade of their active ministry. Some of them use…
- May 18, 2010
I've been reading Acedia and Me by Kathleen Norris. Actually I've been listening to it as I make this commute…
, - May 17, 2010
Continuing to look at how the session can support the pastor in nurturing his or her spiritual life, let us…
, - May 14, 2010
To a lay person, it might seem strange to suggest that a clergy needs to be encouraged to build in…
, - May 13, 2010
As mentioned yesterday, when we speak of clergy self-care, most people tend to focus on the personal physical and emotional…
, - May 11, 2010
A major contribution that a governing body can make in support of the pastors of their churches is to take…
, - May 10, 2010
Another obstacle to caring for self among clergy is the fear of appearing that they are whining or asking people…
- May 7, 2010
One factor that makes the whole area of clergy self-care so difficult is that it is often left up to…
, - May 6, 2010
There is a growing body of evidence that the complexity and stressful nature of the vocation of pastor is increasing.…
, - May 4, 2010
We have lost touch with the gift of a sabbath. Some rabbis have spoken of the Sabbath as a taste…
, - May 3, 2010
This week I begin a brief interim assignment. When I retired I began thinking of ways that I could use…
- April 26, 2010
I will be at the Presbyterian Writers' Conference this week, so I probably will not be doing a lot of…
- April 23, 2010
I mentioned earlier this week about the pastor who thought that some people were feeling a sense of shame at…
Church Support for Clergy Spiritual Health
November 29, 2013
SPIRITUAL HEALTH OF CLERGY There is an ancient tale about the cobbler’s children having no shoes while the cobbler helps…
Church Support for Clergy Financial Health
November 27, 2013
DISCUSSING FINANCES BEFORE A CLERGY IS CALLED The advantage of an interim having a frank and honest discussion with the…
Church Support for Clergy Family Health
November 25, 2013
IMPORTANCE OF CLERGY FAMILY HEALTH We continue to comment on the unique role that an interim pastor has in…
Church Support for Clergy Emotional Health
November 22, 2013
THE EMOTIONAL LIFE OF A PASTOR The very nature of ministry engages one in the emotional roller coaster of engaging…
Church Support for Clergy Physical Health
November 20, 2013
TO BUSY TO BE HEALTHY It is not uncommon for busy people to neglect the very basic attention that one…
PREPARING A CONGREGATION FOR HEALTHY CLERGY
November 18, 2013
FILLING A VACUUM The interim has increasingly played a significant role in congregational life. While the session or governing board…
BUILDING CONNECTIONS AMONG THE CLERGY
November 13, 2013
PRESBYTERY EXECUTIVES KNOW THE CHALLENGE All General Presbyters/Presbytery Executives know the challenge. First, we live in an age of institutional…
FIVE WAYS FOR CONGREGATIONS TO OBEY JESUS’ NEW COMMANDMENT
November 11, 2013
WHAT DOES JESUS EXPECT OF US? John 13:34: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just…
Making Your Book Attractive for Book Clubs
November 8, 2013
IS YOUR BOOK A GOOD READ FOR A GROUP? Consider the mutual value of having your book selected by a…
MYSTERY WRITING WITH A SPIRITUAL EDGE
November 6, 2013
Why Mystery Writing With a Spiritual Edge Addresses a Hunger in Society LIVE IN AN AGE OF ANXIETY…