The gospels are a testament to the transformative power of personal connection, empathy, and tangible assistance—core components of ministry that extend far beyond the physical church.
All tagged compassion
The Faces of Compassion
Seeing what compassion looks like on Jesus shows us what compassion looks like on God. But what does compassion look like on you and me?
Depression and Jesus
May the words of God give you peace and comfort and use us to speak into the lives of those in our community of faith who wrestle the demons of depression.
Pastoral Portraits
We do not lead with advice, guidance, or correction. Instead, we pay careful attention to the emotional and spiritual location of the person to whom we minister.
Jesus's Feeding the 5,000
Jesus was inviting them out of their fear and scarcity mindset to one of abundance. Rather than seeing the scarcity of the moment, Jesus invited them to see the not-yet-visible abundance of the kingdom of God.
Ministering From Our Broken Places
But if you have brought these experiences to the feet of Jesus and continue to experience his grace, forgiveness, and renewal, then those experiences can be the very things that give our ministry life, breath, and breadth.
Sheep Respond to Nurture
This week I saw a sheep with an adopted master, following close because it knew familiarity and care. It had everything it needed and responded simply in acceptance.
Reflection Roundup: Cultural Reflections
In order to imagine ourselves in difference-making positions, we all need models in place, models who look like we do and who don’t all look like each other.
No Words
We can get so paralyzed by the complications, the insecurities, the fears, the bruises from past failures, our defenses and the many other things that make up life’s big ball of yarn.
10 Questions with David Kneip, Associate Director
We announced this week that David is joining our team. For those of you who don’t already know him, allow me to introduce you to my new boss!
Leading Your Church Through the Pandemic
This global pandemic doesn’t have to wreck your church, but it will reveal your church’s latent leadership strengths or weaknesses.
“Far from the Tree” by Andrew Solomon
For those of us in ministry this book is a constant challenge to seek the image and likeness of God in those places and people where it may not be so evident on the surface. (Nonfiction)
O Be Careful, Little Eyes
All of us are conditioned to see the world in certain ways. We are taught to see some things, and not others.
What to Do When There Is Nothing You Can Do
May we never lose sight of those who are right before us—the ones who need someone to see their pain, cry with them, and simply be with them.
What Do Stress, Jesus, and Self-Compassion Have to Do with Eating?
Just because I am a therapist doesn’t mean I am immune to eating and body image struggles.
Righteous Anger?
Is it good or bad to be mad? It’s bad, right? Anger is bad. Always. Paul says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” (Eph 4:31).