Place matters. In so many ways it matters. Where you observe Holy Week. Where you go home at night. Where you were raised. Where you work and live and play. Each of these places matter, and they give shape to…
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3MMM | Episode 19: Brick Walls
What do brick walls, American Idol and ministry have to do with each other? Read on . . . Lately, Iโve been watching American Idol. Now, in truth since my daughter was born, I nearly gave up television altogether. The…
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3MMM | Episode 12: Mentoring for Skill
I believe one of the easiest temptations when navigating one-to-one mentoring is to carry our big relational needs and expectations into the work. I know in my first call out of seminary, I wanted a mentor so much. I wanted…
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3MMM | Episode 9: Ministry as Relational
This weekend a dear person in my life died unexpectedly. Louise and I have been part of the same faith community for 18 years. She was a member of that community for decades before I arrived. Lou and I shared…
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3MMM | Episode 2: Seeing Holy Depths
Advent is one of my favorite times of the year. It gives me a quiet resting place in the middle of the headlong rush to the end of the school term, the end of the calendar year, the urgency of…
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Three Minute Ministry Mentor
New Weekly Video Series Launches in Advent Everyone in ministry needs a mentor. Whether you have one currently or feel like you could really use one, our new video series, Three Minute Ministry Mentor, is created exactly with you in…
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Eastertide XI ~ Pastoral Imagination
Learning Pastoral Imagination Project My work and vocation take me in a lot of directions: writing, teaching, coaching, and consulting. Topping my list of responsibilities, however, is my researchย as co-directorย of the first ever, national, ecumenical and longitudinal study of ministry.…
Read MoreEastertide VIII
Closing the Gap Despite progress, the gender gap among Baptist pastors remains persistent. In recent weeks two prominent progressive Baptist churches moved to call well-known Baptist pastors. Notably in both calls the pastors are women. Riverside Church in New York…
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Ordinary Time XII
Ecclesiology and Ethnography: Take Two September is lovely time to visit England. I entered and departed the U.K. through London. The city is Englandโs gateway to the world and recently played host to the Olympic and Paralympic summer games. A…
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Traveling Along I’m coming to the end of a three-part trip. It has been too much to cram into one stretch away from home. Each part has been excellent. But back-to-back-to-back has been the challenge. I don’t mind the travel…
Read MoreOrdinary Time XXIX
Yesterday I got lost for an hour taking pictures of acorns and oak leaves. The sun was autumn bright. The sky a brilliant blue. Some leaves were still green. Others were tinged red and yellow. Little stripes on the acorns…
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