Drew Downs

Make a New Normal

Leadership

  • Stop Falling For the Cult of the Perfect Leader

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    7 min read

    “We have a new bishop!” I proudly declared on Sunday morning, announcing the weekend’s big event: when nearly 1,500 people gathered to ordain the 11th Bishop of Indianapolis, the Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows. “And right now she’s claiming her seat.” And because I refuse to pass up such perfect opportunities to preach, I took the…

  • What a Young Pastor Hears When You Talk About Bivocational Ministry

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    4 min read

    When you talk about bivocational ministry, what I hear is: We don’t value you.   [bctt tweet=”The church’s way of saying – figure it out on your own. Oh, and good luck with that.” username=”revdrewdowns”] Put your money where your mouth is Most of us were raised with the idea that value comes from financial…

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  • Am I to Come to You With a Stick?

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    6 min read

    Am I to Come to You With a Stick (Day 11 of A Simple Lent) As we get further into this letter to the church in Corinth, we are now starting to see what has Paul so mad. Not the specific stuff, that’s coming later. We’re getting the question of authority. As in the people are…

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  • Pastor or Priest?

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    8 min read

    My friend and teacher, the Rev. Dr. D. Jay Koyle teaches that identity and worship is connected with belief and choice. We make decisions for our personal piety and liturgical acts from a place of understanding the purpose behind the choice. Much of our tradition is inherited through piety and local custom, rather than historical…

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  • Adult Formation

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    9 min read

    A friend recently said that the church is always 10 years behind. When he said this, I nodded as I thought through all the ways we are behind the world. Technology, marketing, human rights, anti-institutionalism, shifting political landscapes, family trends including divorce rates, break-ups, and coupling outside of marriage. I frequently point out that many of…

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