Here’s news that to some may be shocking: There are bullies in the church. OK, maybe that’s not news. Anybody who has been Continue reading The Bottom Line of Bullying in the Church
Category Archives: Missional Leadership
A Wounded, Limping, and Blessed Church
As evening falls on the crest of the river’s ford, Jacob sits alone at a small fire. He is poking tiredly at the embers while thinking about the journey underway. “Go home,” God says. “Return to the land of your ancestors and to your kindred, and I will be with you” (Genesis 30:3, 13). God’s was Continue reading A Wounded, Limping, and Blessed Church
Ethics and Leadership in the Church
There has been a lot of talk about politicians in trouble, recently. Talking heads on the TV are jabbering about it incessantly. And we realize that it’s true: nobody likes a slimeball leader. Continue reading Ethics and Leadership in the Church
Pointing Questions for the Church
John the Baptizer pointed to Jesus the day after Christ’s baptism. He said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29-42) A finger directed their eyes toward the one whose arms would be outstretched on the cross. John announced his mission. He is the One, who gives himself for Continue reading Pointing Questions for the Church
Speak Out Loud: No More Whispering
Whenever we speak of God, there is a necessary tentativeness that must attend our words. A holding back of absolute certainty must Continue reading Speak Out Loud: No More Whispering
The Letter I Wrote
Tomorrow, I will mail a Letter. News is already out. I am resigning my call to accept another across the state. I look at the page and see the contrast of ink on paper and know that nothing is nearly so Continue reading The Letter I Wrote
Finding Purpose when Floundering
It’s no secret that many churches are floundering. They are scrambling to keep up aging buildings, wringing hands over declining income, and sometimes showing concern about the decline of faith practices in their community. The busy-ness of maintaining the church, anxiety over changes happening among them, concerns about the future easily distract leaders and Continue reading Finding Purpose when Floundering
God’s Chosen Locus of Action: Is it Ours?
Why I Went Back to School
Questions I carried with me in my early years of ministry have changed. It was during my second call as an ordained pastor that I began to realize the shifts under way in the church and in me. In February 1999 I began Continue reading Why I Went Back to School
What I Want the Crabby Guy to Know
Dear Crabby One, Something pretty amazing happened recently. You apologized for harsh words spoken. You really surprised me and I was Continue reading What I Want the Crabby Guy to Know
Jabbok's Edge 