I know a man who works at a large, warehouse-style home-improvement store. One day he shared a story about how to help people find…
Tag: Congregational Living
Gathering in Worship Again: Ways to Mark Change
As many congregations return to gathering in new or partial ways after a period of virtual worship, there are both logistical challenges and shepherding…
Lenten Love: Make Things Better
The Lenten season has started. Lent is six weeks (excluding Sundays) dedicated to prayer, fasting, and reflection to prepare for the grand celebration of…
Leading Generously: Setting Up a Team for Success
One of the most illuminating things I ever heard about leading generously involved Johnny Carson. For most of my childhood he was host of…
Strength in Ephesians: The Body, the Armor, the Power
If you’ve been part of a marching band, you know how intricate the planning is for halftime. I spent the last 16 years in…
Fruitfulness through Faithfulness
I have found Psalm 1 to be a guiding principle in my life and ministry; it speaks to my theology and character as a…
Practicing Covenant Leadership: The Virtues of Christ
In our particular cultural moment, have you noticed a longing for values or traits that may seem absent in public life? Warren Bennis famously…
What Is the Proper Response to Pressure?
Rev. Kaloma Smith, Senior Pastor of University AME Zion in Palo Alto, examines wisdom from Acts 12 for times when pressure is on the…
The Cost of Preaching Pastorally & Prophetically
If we are guided by Scripture, the content of our preaching will always have aspects of the pastoral and the prophetic.
Visits through the Distance: Pastoral Presence
Before this pandemic, there were pastors who felt the call to preach but not the call to reach. Visits to members can feel intimidating.