Many seminaries and denominations require some level of psychological testing and evaluation for people who want to become pastors. I’m on board with the concept—the last thing we want is a bunch of narcissists in charge of churches. But I do question the effectiveness of some of these evaluations. The two things I remember from… Read More
Saturday Prayer: Beautiful Feet
How beautiful upon the mountain are the feet of the messenger who brings good news. How beautiful upon the plains; How beautiful upon the sidewalks and the roads, the hallways and the aisles, are the feet of your messengers, God, who bring good news. The bad news comes at us from all sides– from the… Read More
Saturday Prayer: This is the Day
This is the day, God, that you have made. This day when I am up too early, when my to-do list is too long, when I’m still dealing with fallout from the day you made yesterday. This is the day, God, that you have made. This day with the glowing sunrise, with time to spend… Read More
Wit’s Ends Day: Is it Work?
As pastors, it’s not always easy to know when we are “on the clock.” What counts as work and what doesn’t? If I’m counseling someone about their marital difficulties in my office, that is work. But what if that person starts in on the same sensitive and private conversation in the middle of the grocery… Read More
Saturday Prayer: The Struggle is Real
Dear God, This work you call us to is hard: this work of prayer and study and preaching; this work of organizing and coordinating and administrating; this work of phone calls and emails and Facebook posts. I struggle to maintain compassion and grace with those closest to me who aren’t doing all I’d like them… Read More
Saturday Prayer
God, Life is not going according to my plan. The world is not adhering to my carefully conceived schedule. Despite my work and best intentions, things are not falling neatly into place. Give me flexibility so I do not break. Give me grace—with myself and others. Give me vision to see beyond my plans to… Read More
Wits’ Ends Day: A Notable Pastor Evaluation
First United Church of Nazareth Pastoral Evaluation Report from Pastor/Congregation Relations Committee (PCRC) Over the past three weeks, the PCRC has asked congregation members to submit pastoral evaluations as we seek to provide accountability to our pastor and strengthen our congregation’s ministry in the community. We appreciate all who took the time to… Read More
Saturday Prayer
For the twelve Thai boys and their coach rescued from the depths of the cave; for cave divers, engineers, medical personnel—all 10,000 people who participated in the rescue; for their fathers and mothers holding their sons in their arms today– Gracious God, we give you thanks. For the thousands of children separated from their parents… Read More
Saturday Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit
Veni sancte spiritus. Come, Holy Spirit, breath of life. Come in the luke-warm breeze that cuts through the humid heat. Come in the sun-infused waves licking our ankels and the cool sand my toes find below the burning surface. Veni sancte spiritus. Come through the hard and holy remembrances of those who have been driven… Read More
Wits’ Ends Day: Vacation Preparation
Last month I shared a few vacation tips for pastors, but I realize that I neglected to address what may be the most important aspect of clergy vacations—the week before you leave town. You know, the week you start to think you will need to stay home from your vacation in order to get all… Read More
