Facing Brick Walls “Nobody ever liked Eileen anyway.” Ouch. “Eileen, I’m really hoping that you will be our next pastor.” Oooof. These words, and many variations on them, polarized the congregation when I left it over 20 years ago. What…
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3MMM | Episode 214: Making Connections
This weekend I spent time renewing and making new connections with Baptist friends. As an extrovert I found this mostly energizing. I know it’s not everyone’s idea of fun. And maybe you would rather make connections with one person over…
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3MMM | Episode 213: Everyday Ministry Puzzles
For women in ministry and lgbtiqa+ ministers*, everyday ministry puzzles are an unavoidable part of living into one’s calling and work. When I listen to the ministers I study, seminary students, friends, and colleagues in ministry, I hear stories about…
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3MMM | Episode 212: Called to Ministry
Blessed are you who are called by God to serve the church… Then along comes someone saying surely you misheard. Or that you don’t know what you are doing. They practically shout, wrong number! They are the ones who are…
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3MMM | Episode 211: Back to School Wisdom
What back to school wisdom would you offer someone who is beginning seminary? This season is back-to-the-routine and back-to-school time for many of us. So this week we invited pastors, professors and recent seminary graduates to share some words of…
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3MMM | Episode 210: Elizabeth-Anne’s SBC Story
Editor’s Note: This week we welcome Elizabeth-Anne’s SBC Story about calling and ministry. Elizabeth-Anne Lovell is part of the 3MMM Team, teaches Jesus in the Gospel and Film at Belmont University, and is a brand new mom. It’s Not You,…
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3MMM | Episode 209: Rural Ministry Gifts and Challenges
This week I am focusing on rural ministry gifts and challenges related to time, place, and power. The reason for this focus is that I will meet with a group of pastors and congregational leaders later this week. In anticipation…
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3MMM | Episode 208: More Favorite Things
Hello Friends, I have a few more favorite things to share! I’m on vacation this week and so my post this morning is brief. Here are three recent images I hope you will enjoy. We’ve been running a fun series…
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3MMM | Episode 207: Lost Things
a poem for lost things (behind the desk edition) prescription eyeglasses photo book of grandchildren heart stickers rolodex original watercolor painting (unframed, 4 x 6) paper clips bugs (dead and alive) receipts cosmetics, lots of cosmetics (two entire boxes) bic…
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3MMM | Episode 206: Adam DJ Brett’s Favorite Things
EDITORIAL NOTE: We are offering a summer series of “My Favorite Things” this year. And this week, 3MMM Team Member Adam DJ Brett is on the blog. Adam holds a Ph.D. in religion from Syracuse University, where he studied religion,…
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3MMM | Episode 204: How Women Thrive in Ministry
How do women thrive in ministry? Last week on Thursday, 700+ Baptists gathered in Atlanta for dinner to kick off a celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Baptist Women in Ministry. BWIM Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Meredith Stone asked us…
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Finding Our Way – Live Event
We are all trying to find our way, yes? Thank you for finding your way over to this page! We think everyone is seeking ways right now… to live, to be together, to be church, and to make a vibrant…
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3MMM | Episode 203: Writing by the Numbers
Writing by the numbers is just a fun way to share some new and old things related to writing. Some of the numbers are pieces you might enjoy reading. Other things are strategies and methods for writing that might help…
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3MMM | Episode 202: Erin’s Favorite Things
We are offering a summer series of “My Favorite Things” this year, and 3MMM Team Member Erin Robinson Hall shares some of her favorites. Things that are making her and her family happy this summer. You can also find more…
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3MMM | Episode 201: Elizabeth-Anne’s Favorite Things
EDITORIAL NOTE: We are offering a summer series of “My Favorite Things” this year, and 3MMM Team Member Elizabeth-Anne Lovell is on the blog today. We think you’ll enjoy reading about Elizabeth-Anne’s favorite things! We launched something new over on…
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3MMM | Episode 200: My Favorite Things of the Moment
I am going to share three of my favorite things of the moment with you today. We are kicking off a series that focuses on what is bringing us joy right now — this summer. We are not simply ignoring…
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3MMM | Episode 199: Pray. Read. Write.
Pray. Read. Write. This three-part creative process is one of the most enduring patterns of work in my life. I have been praying and reading and writing and creating as long as I can remember. They are the forms of…
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3MMM | Episode 198: Pandemic Over! Now What?
On May 5 the United Nation World Health Organization declared the Covid-19 global health emergency / pandemic ‘over’! Now what? Well, not so fast. It’s more complicated than that. Even the head of the United Nations says so. The threat…
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3MMM | Episode 197: Pastoral Imagination at Two
Pastoral Imagination at two years old! Here’s a fun way to let you know some things about the book Pastoral Imagination, which turns two this month! My Fortress Press editor Scott Tunseth told me this was a book for the…
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3MMM | Episode 196: Appreciating Pamela Cooper-White
Last week I had the joy of appreciating Rev. Dr. Pamela Cooper-White, at her retirement dinner. A wonderful group came together May 4 at Union Theological Seminary to celebrate our friend and colleague. My task and honor was to reflect…
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3MMM | Episode 195: Appreciation for Bonnie Miller-McLemore
This week and next I invite you to join me in celebrating two of my senior colleagues, so I’ll be offering appreciation for Bonnie Miller-McLemore and Pamela Cooper-White. Vanderbilt Divinity School marked Bonnie’s retirement on Saturday night along with six…
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