In seeking to find the essence of what it means to be an elder for a local congregation, it is helpful to focus on three things—being, doing and process—framed in three key questions.
All in Church
Without Vision, Ministry Perishes (Part 1)
It is easy to talk about churches not having a vision … but I think many ministers often lose sight of their calling because we’ve gotten too tied up in our calling.
Coaching the Team
I have found my mind dwelling on the similarities between coaching and pastoring, between a team and the church.
Discipling Children, Part 1: Pilgrims on a Journey
Treating children as pilgrims on a spiritual journey requires us to view children for what they are: God's image bearers.
Let's Get Real: Eating Disorders in the Church
I am asking you to get real with me. For just a few minutes, let's talk about some ways that eating disorders can hide among us.
When to Quit, and When to Persevere
Quitting has become a dirty word of sorts, reserved either for the obviously lazy or morally repugnant. Especially in church and leadership circles.
I Am Not a Robot: Resisting the Quick Fix Culture
The invisible ailments of the soul and spirit can be squishy problems that resist being named or fixed.
Why the Church Needs Feminism (Part 2)
Society had always told me that, as a woman, my voice was not worth as much as a man’s.
Small Church, Big Heart
The small church can remind us that it is “we” and not just “me” in the journey of faith. The small church can provide pastoral care in natural and authentic ways.
The Privilege of Participation
Worship is a divine mystery. When we participate in leading the community in worship, we are drawn into a holy encounter.
It Is the Community That Saves Us
The local church has a heart to be immersed and a part of her local community. The church, in spite of all of her criticism, is in fact the light of the world.
Learning to Dream
Envy is no fun at all, because it drains us of joy. But dreaming … dreaming can be incredibly rewarding, hopeful, and joyful, because we are aligning our lives and our actions with the vision and mission of God.
The Role of Intentional Affirmation in Female Development
Who inspired you to be in ministry? It’s a question many of us can answer, but how often do we stop to consider if we have passed along the same gift?
Gospel in the Key of G: Keeping Jesus's Glorification at the Center
The gospel is also written in a certain key. If we fail to take note of it, we might find ourselves playing the wrong notes, interpreting things the wrong way.
The Missing Christian Leader
Never before in history have so many of the earth’s most blessed people felt so opposite. This might lead us to ask that if the answers we all seek aren’t in the middle of all the action
Forget the Church Growth Model; Here’s How Evangelism Can Work
The Church Growth movement rests upon building churches of people who are alike. It leans into a principle of homogeneity.
Why the Church Needs Feminism (Part 1)
We tend to shy away from the word feminism because there’s a fear of bringing cultural issues into our churches.
Can You See Me Now? Women, Service, and the Small Church
There are spiritually gifted women in every church who need the opportunity to exercise their gifts as they submit fully to God for the sake of the kingdom.
One Thing the Church Needs to Know about Millennials (and Every Other Generation)
Perhaps we are warding off an unspoken fear that our traditions and cultures in the church might be outmoded, passé, and irrelevant.
Being before Doing
Who I am as a disciple constructs and nurtures my being, while the various forms of leadership that may come to me are things, tasks or roles that I do.