Those who know me know that I love to read. I may not always remember books in detail, but I absorb them. They become a part of me. As a pastor, I move a lot. During one of my moves …
The Secret to Thankfulness
“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” —Philippians 4:11-12 As Thanksgiving approaches each year, it can be hard to feel thankful if we don’t have an abundance of positive things occurring in our life. …
Leadership Matters: Be that candle
“One candle can light a thousand other candles and still remain lit itself. Be that candle.” —James Altucher The tale of the starfish is often told: A young girl was walking along a beach where hundreds of starfish had been …
Learning poignant lessons of Native American culture, history
Drew seminary student connects with Native American Ministries In the summer of 2022, Drew Theological School led students on a trip to the Blackfeet Nation in Browning, Montana. I had just completed my first year as a Masters of Divinity …
Using AI in ministry the right way
In today’s digitally driven world, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a powerful tool that can significantly impact your church’s communication and ministry efforts. As church leaders and pastors, you are uniquely positioned to explore the ethical use of AI, understanding …
‘Star Words’
It’s that time of year again to choose a new Star Word. What is a Star Word? It’s a tradition gaining in popularity where people choose life-guiding words on Epiphany Day (Jan. 6) or on Epiphany Sunday. This is a …
Help Is On the Way!
Everywhere I drive my car these days—and I drive a lot!— I encounter potholes in the road—huge, crater-like, car-swallowing potholes. And nobody seems to be doing anything about it. There’s a stretch of road about four miles long which runs …
I thought I was ‘one of the good ones’
I thought I was “one of the good ones.” You know, the good white people. A white person who has learned about white privilege and has friends of color and has donated to black causes. A white person who believes …
The Magic of Christmas
I’m a clergymom. So, Advent is one of the most overwhelming times of year. I put a lot of pressure on myself to be the magic-bringer.
At church, I make sure all the traditions are followed, the church is beautiful, the Christmas letter goes out, the sermons are inspiring, the shut-in folks feel cared for, and so on…
Embrace your ‘next’ as part of God’s plan
On Sunday, May 16, I stood on the stage at Impact United Methodist Church and shared with the world that I was retiring from pastoring in the local church. This was a big announcement. Immediately afterward, I was flooded with …