Resources for Theological Reflection Do theology. That’s one of the things congregations can do to help overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of living into a vision of the ministry of all. Or, at least, it’s one of…

Each relationship we are part of has its own unique quality. Some people we click with, some we grate against, and some we barely notice. Relationships often unfold haphazardly, without much thought or guidance. Whether we know it or not,…

In the first week of my first call, I received a letter from a beloved seminary professor and friend. He wrote, “You will be good news to the people in those two churches.” It was the first time that I…

In seminary I knew I was different, but I didn’t have a name for what I was. I was the product of an unusual union of Christian traditions, and this left me feeling out of place. My early faith formation…

The transformation in worship at Scottsdale Congregational United Church of Christ began with a Bible study—a wacky one at that. During my first year at SCUCC, we started a Wednesday Logos program for children and youth. Logos is an ecumenical,…

Many new board members expect board participation will be an opportunity for personal faith development only to find a long, parliamentary-ordered, business-as-usual meeting. While asking for bread, they felt they had been given a stone. “Stonelike” boards are those that…

If you are sole pastor and your congregation’s average attendance is 150 or more, you probably already feel pretty stretched by: Keeping up with non-crisis visitation and counseling Tracking visitors and incorporating new members Providing leadership for adult classes, groups,…

The context in which we do ministry today is radically different from the prevailing context at the time some of us entered ministry a couple of decades ago. Once we catch on to that fact, we begin to see why…

In our years with the practice of testimony, one of the most valuable things for me was hearing how people perceive their church. With testimony, you encourage members to reflect back to you their vision of the church, and in…

“The sermon today is the Rector’s annual report,” joked the Reverend Bruce Freeman at Church of the Redeemer (Episcopal) in Cincinnati, “where I wrap my message in a sermon so that you think you are getting a real sermon!” It…