The Clergy Killer Debate

Thoughts on Lloyd Rediger’s Clergy Killers Speed B. Leas  Like Lloyd Rediger, I have devoted a good deal of my life to wondering how to respond to difficult, ornery, hostile, or mean-spirited people in congregations. Rediger’s book Clergy Killers: Guidance…

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Congregations Magazine, Summer 2005

Lifelong Learning Contents IN FOCUS: A Matter of the Heart Pastor John Wimberly describes the unexpected gifts of his unique and diverse path of learning, and how he won his congregation’s support for his continuing education endeavors A Journey with…

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Practicing Generosity

As humans, we like parity in our relationships with others. A tit for a tat. An eye for an eye. A kiss for a kiss. At its best, our desire for parity keeps relationships healthy. We enjoy flexibility in our…

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Staying in Church

Barbara Brown Taylor was not the first of my friends to leave pastoral ministry and she has not been the last, but she is the first to write a book about her decision to leave. Her memoir, Leaving Church, is…

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Ask Alban: Mentoring: Don't Wait to Be Invited

Q: Parish ministry is learned largely through experience. How do I find a mentor to guide and challenge me now that I am out of seminary? My denomination seems more inclined to give me additional study requirements than to provide…

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Ask Alban: Mentoring: Don’t Wait to Be Invited

Q: Parish ministry is learned largely through experience. How do I find a mentor to guide and challenge me now that I am out of seminary? My denomination seems more inclined to give me additional study requirements than to provide…

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Does Your Congregation Have a New Year’s Resolution?

Congregations, like individuals, often make resolutions for the new year. If your congregation still is mulling over possibilities for the year, Raising the Roof contains ideas that could spark a resolution or two. Visit www.sizetransitions.org for more about the book and…

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