Blog
- May 12, 2009
Presbyteries have been through some very difficult times in recent years. The debate over sexuality is the most visible issue…
, - May 8, 2009
Recently I asked my staff to tell a story about something that happened to them in the ministry that, at…
- May 6, 2009
My friend, Steve Lindsley, tried to imagine what it might look like if Jesus twittered. I don't know much about…
- May 5, 2009
Sometimes it's hard not to cry but it is more healing if you can laugh. To find some humor in…
- May 4, 2009
A new friend, Bill Christian, and I were discussing the healthy effect of laughter and how it can be an…
- May 1, 2009
Plenty of studies have demonstrated that laughter is good for our health both physically and emotionally. One of the fun…
- April 28, 2009
I am currently enduring a torn up house because we are sanding and polishing the floors in two of our…
- April 27, 2009
The March issue of O magazine reported that a survery in October by the American Psychological Association found that 80…
- April 24, 2009
In previous blogs, I have suggested the value in examining our call. Rarely are calls so pure that they are…
- April 23, 2009
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35 It…
- April 22, 2009
I've been out for a couple of days but following up on the last blog, let me explore some possible…
- April 17, 2009
If your bishop, presbyter, or judicatory staff person called you up and asked you to go to lunch, what would…
- April 16, 2009
Mission Presbtery in Texas has developed an intriguing way to demonstrate appreciation for the work of the pastor. Twice a…
- April 13, 2009
Recently, while discussing some sabbatical plans for a pastor, I began imagining with him a way to help his congregation…
- April 10, 2009
In some form or another a congregation, when they call a pastor, promises to "pay him (her) fairly and provide…
- April 7, 2009
Very few clergy or educators are under any illusion that they will make a lot of money in their profession.…
Being Pastor to a Staff
January 14, 2013
One of the surprises for a person who experiences his or her first experience of being head of a staff…
Spiritual but not Religious
January 11, 2013
How often have you heard someone say, I’m spiritual but I’m not religious. If I hear them right, being religious…
Seriously Funny #2
January 9, 2013
Before you get too righteous about how fundamentalist respond, consider some of the words liberals can’t use without having a…
Seriously Funny
January 7, 2013
It isn’t what we say but how we say it that can mess us up. We live in a divided…
Thinking Back, Ahead
January 4, 2013
Consider some basic assumptions. One that God is real, personally involved in this world, and has called you to ministry.…
First Thought in the New Year
January 2, 2013
Allow your imagination to dream about the ideal faith journey for your congregation through this Lent-Easter season before you get…
Slaughter of the Innocents (3)
December 21, 2012
Violence is often the result of distrust. The Challenge of Trust in building a safer society.
Slaughter of Innocents (2)
December 19, 2012
What any of us can do in response to the horror in Newtown, Conn.
Slaughter of the Innocents
December 17, 2012
The slaughter of the innocents in both Bethlehem and Newtown Connecticut are real pain even as we celebrate the birth…
Hypocritic Oath for Pastors (4)
December 14, 2012
In recent blogs I’ve tried to identify some dimensions of ministry that can cause pastors to feel like hypocrites. Sometimes…