Blog
- June 27, 2011
I think that we need to draw upon the liturgical roots of our faith when we are responding to the…
, , - June 24, 2011
One of the more difficult aspects that a COM needs to pay attention to when a pastor is fired is…
, - June 23, 2011
It would be helpful if the Committee on Ministry or its equivalent would do some prior work before they have…
, - June 22, 2011
A critical component that COMs should attend to when a pastor is fired, is the family of that pastor. The…
, - June 21, 2011
I once suggested that someone needs to create a padded, soundproof room where pastors could go from time to time…
, , - June 20, 2011
Recently I have talked to a couple of pastors who experienced the termination of their position and have read several…
, , - June 17, 2011
Take a sheet of paper and quickly jot down several major turning points in your life and your ministry. Don't…
, - June 16, 2011
Consider how some central doctrines of the Christian faith provide handles on how to respond to certain challenges of life.…
, , - June 15, 2011
Doctrines are attempts to articulate central tenets of the faith. Our faith becomes the framework through which we interpret and…
, - June 14, 2011
"We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine . .…
, , - June 13, 2011
Here is an exercise that I would wager would not only be fun but could generate some good material for…
, - June 10, 2011
Yesterday we looked at questions around the theme of worship. Today let's look at the theme of the mission of…
, - June 9, 2011
OK, now for the fun of the types of questions you might ask in your congregational poll. In the end…
, - June 8, 2011
We are still building on the ideas developed on Monday and Tuesday's blogs. We will explore possible subject matter soon…
, - June 7, 2011
Building on yesterday's preparation for your congregational poll, there are still a couple of preparation steps that you need to…
, - June 6, 2011
Let me propose a simple way to work with some trusted colleagues and get a measure of your congregations that…
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Denominational Staff: Reflecting on Your Call
February 11, 2015
A TIME TO LISTEN At least every couple of years, and in times of extreme stress more often, you should…
COMING OUT OF THE LIBERAL/CONSERVATIVE CLOSET
February 6, 2015
HAVING FUN LOOSENING UP As presbyteries experience more ideological tension and the grief of having congregations choose to leave the…
CREATIVE CONTRIBUTION TO EVOLUTION DEBATE
February 4, 2015
74 YEARS AGO TODAY I WAS BORN SOMEONE PRECEDED ME SOMEONE WILL FOLLOW ME I EVOLVED…
ONLY ONCE IN A CENTURY
February 4, 2015
OK WHAT HAS HAPPENED ONLY ONCE IN THIS CENTURY AND WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN? TODAY I TURN 74 I WILL…
Then God Created a Committee
January 30, 2015
I found this excerpt from a book, “We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This” by Jane L Justis. You can find…
DON’T GET PUSHED AROUND
January 28, 2015
PRESBYTERIES SHOULD PUSH BACK I’ll say it again. Presbyteries should stop letting themselves be pushed around. They should PUSH back.…
Images of Healthy Church in Anxious Times
January 23, 2015
Talk About Healthy Church Behavior Being anxious is not wrong. There are plenty of reasons why people might have their…
Unhealthy Symptoms in Anxious Church
January 21, 2015
The next couple of blogs apply some of the insights of Brene’ Brown and her study of people’s response to…
HELP THE CHURCH BE HEALTHY
January 16, 2015
BE A HEALTHY CHURCH This past October I led the annual conference for the Presbytery Pastoral Care Network. You can…
LOVING THE CHURCH IS MORE THAN JUST AN IDEA
January 14, 2015
Getting Our Butts Out of the Chair Are you tired of hearing about another church who thinks they should split…