We need new rituals for #PandemicGrief. This is our space to gather and collect our best practices for grieving in this season of isolation. Part of the struggle of leaning into joy or beauty — which are desperately needed for…
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3MMM | Mini-Ethnography Resource
Paying attention fully to a ministry setting, requires some practice and skill. Pastoral attention can be learned and cultivated over time. One way to grow in those skills is through the work pastoral ethnography. Professional ethnographers spend many years of…
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Resources for Pandemic Pastoring
Are you a minister or chaplain, an activist or congregational pastor? Whatever your role in ministry, you are now living and working in an unprecedented worldwide season of the coronavirus pandemic. And we want to support you as you bring…
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How to Survive Your First Year of Ministry – by Anita Peebles
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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“Ministry as Spiritual Practice”
“Ministry as Spiritual Practice: How Pastors Learn to See and Respond to the ‘More’ of A Situation” by Eileen R. Campbell-Reed and Christian Scharen Abstract Christian ministry in a changing and challenging context requires “pastoral imagination,” a capacity to perceive…
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Epic Journey: Writing for My Life
The bells chime for worship. I am walking away from them. My path leads me deeper into the woods, through a cathedral of trees. A lush carpet of green stretches away to my left. Low hanging clouds reflect on the…
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Mele Kalikimaka & Hau’oli Makahiki Hou
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Hawai’i! This is the most unique Christmas holiday I have ever had in my life. My family and I traveled to Hawai’i where new adventures and new discoveries filled up each day of…
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State of Clergywomen Report – endorsed by Jann Aldredge-Clanton
One of the earliest names I ever heard as associated with supporting women’s ordination and call to ministry was Rev. Dr. Jann Aldredge-Clanton. I was just in college then when I heard that she articulately defended women’s place in ministry.…
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Adventures in Cooking: Thanksgiving Edition
Every year for the last 18 with a few exceptions (in the early years of graduate school and then motherhood) the weekend before Thanksgiving involves my attending the annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion, and in most of…
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Anatomy of a Schism: Reviews
What have scholars and reviewers been saying about Anatomy of a Schism? Here are a few excerpts. Review and Expositor This is not your father’s interpretation of the twentieth-century Southern Baptist schism. Eileen R. Campbell-Reed has produced an original perspective on…
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Immigration Sermon 6-23-2018
The following homily was offered on June 23 as part of an action to “Stop Jailing Families” which called on Nashville Mayor Briley and Sheriff Hall to untangle their relationship with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and stop detaining immigrants,…
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Wednesday Words for Writers ~ F
Feedback This month I’ve been taking a class in creative non-fiction over at The Porch. A dozen or so women sit around a big plank table each week, and we talk about delicious classics like “You Blow My Mind! Hey,…
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Flourishing in a Culture of Disbelief
Three Keys for Women Leading Churches Women starting out in ministry need space to learn. So do men. All people with a pastoral calling need room to grow into the practice of ministry. Too often, however, a culture of disbelief…
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Tennessee Baptists: Why Should We?
Why should we deny the gospel? Why should we sin against God’s call? Why should we reject the gifts of the Spirit? Right now sitting in your seats, imagine the most important woman in your life. Who are the most important…
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Reformation and the Economy of Salvation
“Here I stand. I can do no other.” So said Martin Luther. At the time he was on trial by the Holy Roman Church for writing heresy. It was 1521. On that day he refused to deny his arguments against…
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Anatomy of a Schism on ClearStory Podcast
The 29th Annual Southern Festival of Books charmed me in ways I did not expect. I met amazing people and had some great conversations. Before I got away, River Jordan interviewed me about Anatomy of a Schism for ClearStory Radio.…
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Clyde Edgerton: 8 Practices for Writing
This weekend I had many joys at the 29th Annual Southern Festival of Books! On Sunday afternoon, I met renowned and delightful Southern author of ten novels, Clyde Edgerton. He read from his current work and told stories. He even sang…
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Public Theology in the Face of Tragedy
This morning as we consider another major tragedy in real time, let’s consider how to do this with more grace and less sensationalism. When responding to tragedy… 1) Lift prayers for peace, love, grief & loss. It’s not the only…
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Pastoral Wisdom Part 1 ~ Mentoring
Seeking Pastoral Wisdom Part 1: Mentoring It is something most ministers want. And it can feel impossible to find. Yet seeking pastoral wisdom is vital for the work of the church and for leading people of faith. Becoming pastorally wise…
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Ordinary Time: “Hangry”
Almost simultaneously this summer I was invited to preach at three churches. My home church, Glendale Baptist would be first, and we spent the summer exploring the Beatitudes. So I took Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst…
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