Sure, 2020 has been a rough year with lots of adjustments and some difficult losses. But just think of all the stuff we’ve learned along the way! Talk about “things they didn’t teach us in seminary”! (Except #5. Dr. Graves tried very hard to teach me #5.) So here are The Top 10 Things I’ve… Read More
Wits’ End Day: COVID Hymns
In these days of COVID, I find that some of our beloved hymns are troubling–all of that breathing and touching and singing. So I’ve re-written a few favorites to be more appropriate for our physically-distanced, virus-conscious lives. (You really should sing them to get the full effect.) (But don’t sing them while you’re in a… Read More
Wits-Ends-Day: Church COVID-19 Survey Results
How comfortable would you be coming to in-person worship? Very comfortable. (33%) Fairly comfortable. (34%) Not at all comfortable. (33%) Comments: “Covid isn’t real and God will protect us from it.” “If we don’t meet in person next week I’m finding another church that really believes in God.” “If we meet in person within the… Read More
Wit’s-End-Day: COVID-19 Bingo Edition
While in “normal” times, I have very mixed feelings about bingo, right now- I’m all for it. I know we are all experiencing different griefs, pains, and hopes in our various places and vocations. This bingo card is not at all intended to imply what anyone “should” be doing, but instead to offer encouragement that… Read More
Wits’ Ends Day: Pandemic Pastor Types
I’ve been involved in several Facebook chats, Zoom calls, and email conversations with clergy from across the U.S. and around the world in these weeks of Covid-19. In these interactions—and through general observation of news, church websites, and Facebook posts, I’ve noted a few distinct types of pandemic pastors. The “Lentiest Lent” Pastor This pastor… Read More
Wits’ Ends Day: Holiday Fun
Hello, friends. I’m recovering from a sinus infection and haven’t had the mental energy to write a new Christmas column for you all this year. But please enjoy some holiday fun from years past: ‘Twas [two weeks] Before Christmas, Pastor Version ‘Twas the [week] Before Christmas, Parent Version If you’re looking to buy me a… Read More
Wit’s Ends Day: Reviewing the Review
We just finished a pastor/congregation evaluation process at my church. Actually, our consultant says that this is just the beginning! We have exciting work ahead as we explore the summary documents! We should read through them prayerfully every night and consider what God is saying to us through the words of our co-congregants! What an… Read More
Wits’ Ends Day: Conspiracy Theories
Conspiracy theories are quite popular right now—everyone thinks that someone else is up to something secret and nefarious. And don’t be fooled; these conspiracies are not limited to the political realm. There are plenty of conspiracies happening in our own congregations. Here are just a few conspiracies I’m inclined to believe in: Bigfoot may be… Read More
Wits-Ends-Day: Sharpie-Enhanced-Ministry Edition
While altering a National Weather Service hurricane map is . . . not cool, . . . the incident did get me thinking about how useful it could be in our ministry settings if we could, in fact, alter reality with a Sharpie. So here are some Sharpie edits you could make to enhance your… Read More
Friday Festival: Longreads
I’m a fan of Longreads and look forward to their email on Fridays featuring a top 5 for the week, on important topics ranging from maternal mortality among Black women in the United States to the cost of insulin and whimsical subjects like the magic of a ramen restaurant in Tokyo. This week I am… Read More
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