This week, as a pastor I… talked about the future of children’s ministry at Orchards, considered Psalm 139 with teenage boys, sorted goods at the food bank, thought about hunger in its many forms, created an Individual Development Plan for myself and my work as a pastor, read David & Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell, talked about Adam & Eve, the imago dei, original sin and Baptism, gathered support … Continue reading This Week in Ministry (for last week)
I began itinerating when I graduated from high school in 1993. Since then… 1 year at Bluefield College as a commuter. 3 years at King College as a resident. 1 year with my parents as an unemployed college graduate. 2 years in Webster Groves, MO in the US-2 program. 1 year in Cambridge, UK in the Time for God program 8 months back living with my … Continue reading The Regretful Side of Itineracy
Today I turn 40 years old. That’s not too old. But I’ve been calling myself 40 for the past 11 months, so clearly, it’s been on my mind. I tend to be overly reflective anyhow, so I thought I would take the occasion to consider 40 moments in my life through which I know I changed. I’m calling these linchpins after the segment on the … Continue reading 40 Linchpin Moments in 40 Years
I want to write about the MLK holiday. There are several thoughts angling into my brain on this one. It’s probably best if I just lay them all out there at once. I deeply admire Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and all that he stood for. I know that he was a freedom fighter, a philosopher, a preacher, a non-violent resister of oppression. I’ve studied … Continue reading How to Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (if you’re white)
This past week, as a pastor, I… ate pancakes with 8 middle school boys I didn’t really know. joined 7 seniors and a young adult in contemplating what it means to be a good church member. consulted with 5 church members about recent vision work. ate chili. perused and studied (indulged) pop culture offerings from 1988. tried to take good care of the church property. … Continue reading This Week in Ministry
This past week, as a pastor, I… thought a lot about Baptism. worried a lot about Christmas. thought and prepared a lot about Lent. ate an elementary school “lunch”. read a book and sat through a 5.5 hour lecture on church administration…and mostly liked it. scheduled a wedding for August. It’s been a good week. Continue reading This Week in Ministry
How much should you give to the church? Why give anything at all? You can give 10% of your income and still act like the world/church/God owes you something. Is that pleasing to God? What if you gave 5% with great appreciation and joy? Would God not accept that? It’s not as if God needs money anyway. GIVE FOR PASTORAL SERVICES AND SUPPORT As a … Continue reading Tithing, Generosity and the Church
Christianity is an untidy faith. It’s full of grace and therefore full of the breaking of rules and the loving of people despite their breaking of rules. Our guy–God in the flesh, the Savior of all creation–gets his ass whipped, his hands and feet nailed to a freaking tree trunk and his gut sliced open like a Christmas turkey*. His cousin had his head cut off*. … Continue reading Messy Religion
This week, as a pastor, I… Considered what teenage boys need to know about God, Taught about how to pray for San Bernadino, Completed my last task (a thank you letter) for a now defunct congregation, Met a homeless mom with 5 kids, a minivan and a surprisingly easy smile, Wondered how to teach generosity in the year to come, Encountered a man who had … Continue reading This Week in Ministry
This week in ministry, I… passed out chocolate kisses, drank beer and ate pizza, scrubbed urinals at the shelter, hung up garland poorly, wrote to the Bishop, read a book on my phone, thought a lot about John the Baptist, wondered what to say or do about terrorism and gun violence, recruited parishioners for a new ministry. Things are getting busier, but most of what there is to … Continue reading This Week in Ministry
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