-
·
You Are the Servant Leader
“You’re the pastor” This is the gentle reminder many clergy receive: as if we’ve forgotten. It usually happens when we’ve invited our people into sharing leadership of a ministry. We say “you can do this” and they say “but you’re the pastor”. And for those of us that wear the dog collar, we get reminded…
-
·
Vacation
I’ll be out of town sporatically over the next few weeks, including a trip up north to the family cottage north of Alpena. I’m pretty sure there isn’t 4G service, and WiFi access is spotty, so I won’t have much time to check in. If you haven’t already subscribed to the blog, this would be…
-
·
Of what I was afraid
To tell you the absolute truth, I was not afraid I would die; I was afraid I would be damaged. Prepping for a colonoscopy, going into the hospital, being put under, being told of what was found: each of these caused concern for me. And if you’ve been reading along, you know my anxiety with…
-
·
Not much to say
I am preparing to go have the procedure for which I have been preparing the last 24 hours. I have to say that of all the things on my mind, one shouts out the loudest: I can’t wait for dinner tonight.
-
·
Do I have to fast the whole day?
As Christian disciplines go, I am better at some than others. There is one, however, with which I am an abysmal failure. I don’t fast well. I can deny myself things. I can deny myself foods and drinks and favorites. I just can’t not eat. I need something. My blood sugar gets low, I get…
-
·
Build Systems or Leaders?
Which is more important: the system or the leader? Since arriving at St. Paul’s, which is a pastoral-sized congregation*, I’ve figured out that much of the structure of the church is based on specific leaders doing specific tasks, rather than systems. I’m not sure how to feel about this. *[a pastoral-sized congregation is what many…
-
·
I am so over your sensitive ego
You know I’m not a dick, right? I have listened to your concerns. We have talked things over. I’ve even come up with ways to accommodate you. I’ve done my part. And having had your concerns heard, talking things over, and been accommodated, you have one small part to play. To quit whining. I don’t…
-
·
What I Think Of When I Look At You
This is the picture I think of when I think of my wedding day. We took other pictures. Maybe better pictures. Certainly more “weddingy” pictures. But this one sticks for me. It is totally my favorite. It goes along with this fun, some-what private moment afterward, while the people were still in the nave, hearing…