Blog
- October 8, 2009
This past weekend I had a wonderful experience that created an idea about how congregations can affirm God's call to…
- October 5, 2009
The single pastor or educator should invite another colleague or two or three to share in the conversational game. It…
- October 2, 2009
Now for the couple whose children have already departed from the home. Below are 29 questions that you should place…
- October 1, 2009
Below are a set of questions for a ministerial couple who do not have children. If you have not read…
- September 30, 2009
Below are 27 questions that you should place on individual 3 x 5 cards and shuffle them so that there…
- September 29, 2009
When was the last time that you had a fairly indepth conversation about your experience of ministry? If you have…
- September 23, 2009
I want to build on yesterday's discussion about how a church behaves when expectations of leaders are not met. First,…
- September 22, 2009
I recently talked to a pastor about a negative termination experience at a church. It recalled for me several times…
- September 17, 2009
When a clergy person or a prominent church leader engages in activity that betrays the trust of the congregation, it…
- September 16, 2009
It is difficult for either clergy or congregations to raise the question of boundaries. For the clergy, being asked to…
- September 15, 2009
One of the sadder realities of the change in ministry is the necessity of reviewing our boundaries with respect to…
- September 14, 2009
One of the great quanderies that has evolved in ministry is how to set boundaries in interpersonal relationships. This ranges…
- September 9, 2009
Most churches do not choose to be harmful to the pastor's family life. As a body they would probably agree…
- September 8, 2009
One of the popular topics for clergy these days is the issue of boundaries. There are a number of areas…
- September 4, 2009
One of the trickier aspects of this whole issue of forgiveness is learning how to forgive yourself. On two previous…
- September 3, 2009
I know that at first glance it seems like almost heresy to consider forgiving God. However, we need to remember…
5 Ways to obey Jesus’ Commandment for Christian Unity
May 17, 2013
Five ways to obey Jesus new commandment to his disciples. John 13:34: “I give you a new commandment, that you…
Litany for Life’s Journey
May 15, 2013
Recently I was asked to preach and lead worship at my 50th College reunion at Muskingum University in New Concord,…
Truth & Consequences: part 6
May 13, 2013
Now we hear what the husband told his wife about what happened. If you were the pastor, how would you…
What Would You Say to a Congregation?
May 10, 2013
I have worked as pastor, consultant, and friend to congregations for over forty years. I have watched them endure bad…
5 Reasons U Care about Healthy Clergy & 5 Things U Can Do About It.
May 8, 2013
You care about clergy because: You believe that God calls clergy to ministry. A divine source sparked their choice of…
Truth & Consequences: A Pastor Confronts Sexuality
May 6, 2013
Part 5 Wrestling with Scripture in Counseling. As you read the story, try to picture how you might have responded…
Sabbaticals, Our Humanity, and Presbyteries
May 3, 2013
The larger church can build the rhythm of seven into their agenda and offer it as a gift to creation.
Sabbaticals, Our Humanity, and Presbyteries
May 1, 2013
The Sabbath can be the church’s invitation to society to maintain our humanity and our freedom.
Truth & Consequences: A Pastor Confronts Sexuality
April 29, 2013
This is part 4 of the serial story that is posted each Monday morning by 9 a.m. As you read…
Laughter as Healing for Clergy (5)
April 26, 2013
We continue to look at ways that you can find some space to laugh at some of the situations you…