A pastoral search is an exercise in mutual vulnerability as pastor-to-be and her potential new congregation get to know one another. How much will each reveal to the other about the difficult things as they discern God’s call? Dear Matriarchs: I am in the search process (PCUSA), and anticipating interviews. I know that search committees… Read More
Wednesday Prayer
Holy Love, it is in you I center my heart today. My heart that is delicate and fierce, whole and full of fragments. As I walk and think and feel through the experience of living, this day, I pray for freedom to cherish, the resolve to be truthful, the goodness to be mercy upon mercy… Read More
Tuesday Prayer
Through all the trials and tribulations, the anxiety and fear, the changes and challenges, the loss and the grief, the endlessness of these days, may peace come. may peace come, if only for a moment. may peace come like a gentle breeze like the soft breath of a baby may peace come like the stillness… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: Sabbath Healing
This week’s Gospel lesson reminds us what it is like to be the guest preacher – or to invite a guest to fill your pulpit – and have something unexpected happen. Can you put yourself in the place of the synagogue leader, who was allowing Jesus to teach that Sabbath, and imagine how it must… Read More
Sunday Prayer: Beloved
Let me sing for the Beloved, and let the Beloved sing for me: songs of delight and satisfaction, of discovery and renewal, of harmony and hope. Let me hum for the Beloved, and let the Beloved hum for me: lullabies of comfort and patience, of possibility and peace, of justice and love. Let me chant… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: What is God asking
This summer my congregation and I have been engaging a sermon dialogue time. We are doing this to help us all listen more deeply for God. To do this I ask them to listen for three things in the readings: What word, image, or phrase stands out for them. I ask them to pay attention… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: Setting Expectations
“Setting expectations” is a tactic of management: both self-management and other-management. It necessitates intentionality in communication and reflection. It provides a vantage point for reviewing successes and struggles, relationships and systems. Unclear and/or uncommunicated expectations tend to cause strain and conflict. Enter this Sunday’s Revised Common Lectionary texts as case studies: Isaiah 5:1-7 sings of the… Read More
Ask the Matriarch: Former Member Still Stirring the (Anger) Pot
After a member leaves the church, but continues to engage angrily with the pastor and the congregation . . . what’s a pastor to do? Dear Matriarchs: Several months ago a family left our church because they couldn’t see how our church’s commitments to LGBTQ+ inclusion is faithful to the gospel. We thought they had… Read More
Important News from our Leadership
Dear Gals and Pals, This week we celebrate the 14th anniversary of the birth of RevGalBlogPals. Founded as a network of bloggers in 2005, we formed a non-profit in 2006, and since then we have engaged in the work of creating community for clergywomen through our website, our social media spaces, and our continuing education… Read More
Ask the Matriarch: Our Favorite Ministry Resources
This week we ask the Matriarchs to give us some practical inspiration for our work as pastors. Dear Matriarchs, What are your best/favorite/essential go-to resources for ministry? Categories might include worship liturgy, sermon writing, programming, leader development, spiritual development (pastor and congregation) and congregational vitality. Let’s hear from our Matriarchs: Sharon Mack Temple I will… Read More
