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Why I’m Lousy at Vacation
This is what I discovered this summer. I really am lousy at vacation. I knew I was bad at it. I just didn’t know I was this bad. I don’t like the time away. I don’t like the extra burden before I go and after I return. I have trouble disconnecting my brain from my…
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Is there a true leader?
The first question a powerful nation must ask before going to war with another; before attempting to overthrow the leader of a sovereign nation is this: is there a truly reconciling native leader? History is full of failed leaders and failed states. Nelson Mandela and George Washington are the exceptions that prove the rule. So…
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Don’t Learn the Wrong Lesson From Capt. Kirk
[NOTE: this post is spoiler-free! And long overdue, since I saw it in May…] Something troubled me about the new Star Trek. I loved the movie. I was glad that it surpassed my expectations and that it challenged me. What troubled me is that I’m convinced that people will mistake James T. Kirk for a…
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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…
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Expectations: of Leaders in Church
I marvel at how low the expectations are for leaders in The Episcopal Church in their commitment to a life of faith. I also marvel at how many hoops we ask of those moved by their faith. To stand for vestry (our congregational boards), you have to show up for church a few times a…
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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…
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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…