Grind culture. Be productive. Generative. Hustling. Busy. Available. This idea that we must be “on” and offering our abilities, our time, and ourselves has been aptly named grind culture. Thankfully, some voices are calling out the temptation to do more…
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What is the most Important question someone ever asked you? Or short of that, what is the question someone asked you that changed the direction of your life? One of the questions I continue to return to comes from poet,…
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This year. This year has been exhausting, dripping in grief and loss. No way around it. And yet. The exhaustion, grief, and loss are not the whole story. There are small miracles and moments that inspire gratitude. One thing I…
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“I knew early on I was called to this work.” -Rev. Alisha Smith Haddock Called to ministry Vocational calling comes in all different sizes, shapes and forms. Traditional congregational ministry, in spite of what people think, is not the only…
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We can always use a prayer for teachers. From preschool to grad school, this time of year is usually punctuated by joyous pictures of students and teachers returning to classrooms. But this year is a strange one. Not like any…
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LOn Sunday afternoon I hosted a conversation on Zoom with friends from my childhood church. Together we were remembering one of our friends, a fellow youth group member, who died earlier this summer. It was good to be with each…
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There is something about collecting myself… so I can expect to be collected and depend on the capacity to stop. ~Dr. Stephanie Crumpton In this week’s episode of 3MMM, it is my delight to begin sharing a conversation with my…
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Anyone else wake up tired? Easter Monday is a day for taking a big exhale. If you work in and for the church, you just finished the biggest week and high, holy Sunday of the year. You are also carrying…
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What is the value of Sabbath? Why do we need to rest? What are the connections between the spiritual practice of deep and spacious rest and learning the practice of ministry? Sleep is the most basic form of daily rest,…
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This week we want to share a wonderful guest blog by my friend, recent graduate of Vanderbilt Divinity School, and new minister, Anita Peebles. When I asked, Does it feel better to be in the second year of ministry? She…
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Advent is here. For the sake of my relatives and friends I will say, “Peace be within you.” (Psalm 122: 8) Advent is one of the intense seasons of life, especially if you lead a congregation or any people of…
Read More Welcome to Season One of Three Minute Ministry Mentor. This index will help you link to weekly episodes: blogs, videos, and podcasts. Season One features fifty topics for learning ministry in practice. These topics are the focus of 50…
Read MoreSelma I began this first Sunday in Lent by traveling to Harlem in the heart of New York City. After a week of sleet, snow and ice in Nashville, I was grateful for the sunshine, and even the slushy sidewalks. People…
Read MoreTrayvon Martin and George Zimmerman are My Neighbors On Saturday night I went downtown. I felt safe and happy walking through an urban center and meeting up with friends for dinner. When I arrived home from the evening out, I…
Read MoreOff the Grid Until June 11, I’ll be away from my blog. Retreat and extended Sabbath. Peace to you, Eileen
Read MoreAdvent Eve I’m writing late and posting this prior to the start of Advent. I’ve been at this blogging-twice-weekly for two years now. That’s 190 posts. A few with pictures only. Some original poetry. Lots of stories. Original photos with…
Read MoreUpcoming Engagements April 1, 2016 Scholastica Luncheon for Women in Ministry Report from the Thailand Pilgrimage Scarritt-Bennett Center Nashville, Tennessee 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Register Here April 7, 2016 Festival of Young (Women) Preachers Sponsored by the Alliance…
Read MoreRant on binge writing “I do not like it, Sam I am!” I’m with Dr. Seuss on this one. I do not like binge writing – that is excessive and obsessive writing for long stretches of time that robs one…
Read MoreSlowing Down* Tuesday Morning – I’m out for a run in the neighborhood around the seminary. The day dawns clear and pleasant. I check my watch and calculate. I’ve got 30 minutes before I have to be back and showering…
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Practicing Generosity* When I lead retreats about simplicity, solitude, and Sabbath I usually do an exercise like this. I ask those in attendance to help me make two lists. We start with the American Dream. What does that make you…
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