Summer is a good time to experience the joys of Vacation Bible School or make plans for the new church year. It is also a good season to rest, reflect and recharge. That sense of reflection and recharging is what we would like to share with you in this newsletter. Earlier this year we put […]
A Summer Collection Read More »
For he said to me “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.” II Cor. 12:9 The Message I understand when I see the memes and hashtags that say “you are enough” So many people in this world are drowning in messages of self-loathing and inadequacy,
After my last post, it has caused me to be more hopeful with my email inbox. So many times in the busyness of each day, I see my emails as a bother or an interruption. I constantly remind myself to slow down and pay attention. Hopeful is an exciting way to live life. I am
Hopefulness in Email Read More »
Many ministers are considering moving to other careers. What are some of the reasons these moves are contemplated? Is the church becoming a more difficult place to work? Is God calling these ministers to unfamiliar places of ministry in a different context? Is it a misunderstanding of calling? I would like to hear your comments
Ministry in Other Contexts Read More »
Many ministers are caught in the church’s downsizing brought about by fewer members and diminishing finances. What are the warning signs that hint downsizing may be coming? How can we help ministers in mid-career retool for the next step in ministry? I would like to hear your comments about these thought provoking questions. Contact me
Warning Signs for Ministers Read More »
I had my annual check-up last month and my weight is going up. I know the job change I have had has led to my eating differently. I had been doing very well but now I am slipping. But even the knowledge that I have well before, and knowing exactly how I did it, it
A Class on Spiritual Disciplines Read More »
The exegetical study method is taught in seminary is now something most congregational members can learn and use. The resources that used to be so expensive, like commentaries, now are on church library shelves or are easily accessible on the internet or in a Bible software program. Teaching the three parts of good Bible study:
A Class on How to Study the Bible Read More »
In our most recent newsletter, I wrote about a time where I reacted impulsively and poorly to a set of circumstances happening around me, and it happened in front of some teenagers in my youth group. I discussed four ways in handling when teens see you mess up. In this follow up, I want to
Before You Push Send… Read More »
I tell folks the angriest and most perilous moment in my career revolved around shared space. And it had nothing to do with childcare or outside groups, it was all about the parlor. A Sunday School class had redecorated an unused room for use as a parlor for weddings and funerals. It shared a door
Avoiding Space Disasters Read More »
I’m blessed to serve in a church where the congregation sees its facilities as an opportunity for ministry. This outlook was expressed in the summary of our first Dawnings Process in 2015: God calls us to be the Center of our Community; relating, loving, and engaging with our neighbors as followers of Christ who makes
