Blog
- August 14, 2012
What does death look like, and what is my calling in the face of death? At its most basic, death…
, - August 10, 2012
The ground of my hope, as expressed in yesterday's comments, leads me to believe that no condition of my life…
, - August 9, 2012
OK, as I consider this penultimate chapter in my life, I also need to consider the ultimate chapter -- death.…
, - August 8, 2012
For those who may think its morbid to be so focused on the time before you die when you are…
, - August 7, 2012
Reflecting on the truth that death will terminate my earthly life, I ask the question as to what is my…
, - August 6, 2012
I may live for another 5, 15, or 20 years, but I am clearly entering into a pen-ultimate phase of…
, - August 3, 2012
Let me provide for you a rather dramatic situation that I think helps clarify the issue of vocation for a…
, - August 2, 2012
I speak of this phase of learning how to appreciate each moment and cutting back on my "driveness" as part…
, - August 1, 2012
As I've evaluated my life in preparation for this next phase, I've noticed how time and objective driven I've been…
, - July 31, 2012
Once you face the reality that you have only a limited number of years left here on earth, and because…
, - July 30, 2012
In a little less than a year, I'm going to move to a new home. After 30 years in Winston-Salem,…
, - July 27, 2012
A major contribution to the loneliness experienced by a pastor is a strong feeling of guilt associated with the tension…
, - July 26, 2012
Psalm 111 is an excellent framework for celebrating the ministries of a church. The example below identifies particular people who…
, - July 25, 2012
Liturgy is the work of the people lifted up in praise to God. Occasionally it is good to lift up…
, - July 24, 2012
In some ways, the better pastor you are, the more you may feel a sense of loneliness. The problem is…
, - July 23, 2012
A pastor's sense of loneliness
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TRUST AND OBEY–MOST CHRISTIANS TRY ANOTHER WAY
August 19, 2016
Church Conflict – You Be the Judge Despite Jesus prayer that we may be one so that the world would believe…
Building Trust When You Can’t Verify
August 17, 2016
HOW TO TRUST WHEN YOU CAN’T VERIFY Ronald Reagan famously coined the phrase that you should trust and verify. Whether…
A COMMUNITY OF HEALTHY TRUST
August 12, 2016
BIBLICAL JOURNEY OF TRUST A major theme running throughout the biblical story is the theme of trust. Trust involves risk.…
WHO DO YOU TRUST–HILLARY, DONALD, OR GOD?
August 10, 2016
AN AGE OF DISTRUST Polls have shown the unlikeability factor for both of our major candidates for the presidency.…
YOU CAN DO IT, ITS FOR YOU, ITS YOU.
August 5, 2016
U U U Imagine yourself being part of a nationwide creative conversation about a significant issue facing the church. Picture…
IMPERFECT CHURCHES WITH IMPERFECT PASTORS
August 3, 2016
In the final chapter of Clergy Tails—Tales, www.smccutchan.com, the author offers some reflections on ministry and the nature of church in…
LITANY BETWEEN GOD AND ONE WHO IS CALLED
July 29, 2016
A DIALOGUE BETWEEN GOD AND ANY HUMAN THAT GOD MIGHT CALL. Leader: You are called to serve God. People:…
Living in an Anxious Society
July 27, 2016
DO YOU LIVE IN AN ANXIOUS SOCIETY? (I am continuing to draw upon Brene’ Brown’s work on vulnerability and applying…
AFFIRMING UNHEALTHY CLERGY
July 22, 2016
CLERGY DON’T HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER Clergy, like all humans, come to their work with all the wounds, hungers, insecurities,…