by John Kenneth Gibson Is this Pastor John?” The unknown voice on the phone sounded tired. For years I dreaded these calls. I knew I was supposed to help. After all, I am an Episcopal priest. And I wanted to help….
Read MoreAlternative Pastoral Models
by C. Jeff Woods The traditional pastoral model is built upon a set of very expensive assumptions that include three years of post-bachelor education, a building owned by the congregants, and a full-time compensation package supplied by a single source of…
Read MoreSimple Congregations: Restructuring into Simplicity
Most likely your denomination or association has restructured itself several times within its lifetime. The promise of restructuring is that a new way of doing (God’s) business will result in fresh approaches, new energy, and new identities. If you haven’t…
Read MoreI Am Still a Pastor
Twenty girls, ages three to twelve, pile into the entrance of the Korean Cultural Center, where they have come to practice traditional Korean dance. According to Korean custom, everyone takes off their shoes when they enter a building, and the…
Read MoreBook Review — America and Its Guns: A Theological Exposé
by Rick Barger I wish I had written Jim Atwood’s book. It not only powerfully places America’s deathly covenant with arms and violence within a sinister theological framework of idolatry, it also is a wake-up call for the church to give…
Read MoreBook Review — America and Its Guns: A Theological Exposé
I wish I had written Jim Atwood’s book. It not only powerfully places America’s deathly covenant with arms and violence within a sinister theological framework of idolatry, it also is a wake-up call for the church to give voice and…
Read MoreSeasons and Stories
Several years ago a presbytery invited me to spend the last half of a leadership training day to introduce a leadership development process that I was thinking about but had not used. The invitation was open ended. I had been…
Read MoreBuilding Capital: Securing the Funds to Start and Sustain a Program
Every new business venture starts with great enthusiasm, but many soon fail. The U.S. Small Business Administration reports that three out of ten new businesses fail within two years, and only half survive five years. Experts cite numerous reasons for…
Read MoreFundraising Beliefs
Why do people give to congregations? How you answer this question makes a difference to your fundraising efforts. Luckily, while stewardship theologies vary, there is little mystery or doubt about the motivations behind generous giving. Successful fundraisers, religious and…
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Neighbors and Covenant Relationships
Stu was one of the first people to help me see that the patient work of discernment was a big part of what I was called to do. I was right out of seminary at the time. I thought that…
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