Wintertime
Despite record snowfalls and cold this year in the eastern U.S., I want to extol the value of winter—in particular, of a dormant season...
Staying Power
Vocations today, ministry included, are complex and stress-filled. Many leave because of burnout or financial pressure. Others stay, but...
Pastor Plus
While the call to be a pastor is consistent, not much else about pastors is the same. They come from all backgrounds, in a rainbow of...
Deep Redemption
In ministry (as in life) bad things happen. We may encounter disruptions, accusations, scuttlebutt, sabotage, betrayal, and even...
Clean up Your Mess
As our daughters were growing up, we had a standing rule before mealtimes: clean up your mess. We expected our daughters to take...
Jesús habla sobre la oración
¿Alguna vez se ha preguntado qué movió a los discípulos de Jesús que ya eran fervorosos a pedirle: «Señor, enséñanos a orar»? Los...
Jesus, on Prayer
Have you ever wondered what prompted Jesus’ already devout disciples to ask, “Lord, teach us to pray?” The disciples observed that Jesus...
A Gift of Hope
The Hebrew word for hope literally means a “rope.” As this picture word depicts, with hope we hold tightly to our faith in God. With...
Leadership and Partnership
Sadly, the tendency of any group of humans, whatever the size, is to become entangled in unproductive behaviors. There is no more...
Strength and Heart and Wits
In J. R. R. Tolkien’s epic narrative, Lord of the Rings, the realms of Middle-earth are threatened by the Dark Lord Sauron. One Ring,...
Bucking the Trends
Despite the trends, regardless of appearances, smaller churches continue to rescue and restore broken people in the rural, small town,...
Apostle of Encouragement
In the biblical account of the early Church, I am drawn to Barnabas. Barnabas was known for his encouragement, generosity, faith, and...
