What is a mystic? Theologians have tried to define mystics for centuries. Unfortunately, most mistakenly define mystics according to their ascetic lifestyles, prayer practices, or mystical experiences and visions. These are not what define mystics. They are a by-product of…

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…

“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…

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 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…

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,…

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…

A guest pastor from India commented after a Sunday service at Grace: “Dear brother, your beautiful Sunday worship service began with singing ‘Let all mortal flesh keep silence,’ followed by 60 minutes of uninterrupted speech.” He caught the irony of…

At a time when people of faith can find it difficult to discuss how their values and convictions impact their leadership style and vocational life, the Alban Institute gathered a group of leaders from across the metropolitan Washington, D.C., area…

I have worked with troubled churches for 20 years. I never cease to learn from these experiences. The list below includes some of what I have learned about congregations in times of conflict. 1. Most people are interested in relieving…