Where should you start when you move to a new ministry? Here are six strategies to help you settle in: People are #1. Get to know the landscape. Literally. Find out what’s normative. Seek out the sacred cows. Figure out what to do now – and what to postpone. Give yourself some grace.
In honor of Pride Month, here are the congregational songs of extravagant and affirming welcome that I’m programming at my church. The congregation knows these songs already because I’ve been introducing them throughout the past year. So singing them them all this month isn’t a drive-by acknowledgement of Pride Month, but an extra emphasis on …
We work harder than you think, calling doesn’t always look conventional, and other things your church leaders wish you knew. Throughout the past year of interviews, I asked people extra questions and this one drew the most passionate response by far: “What do you wish people knew about your job?”
A few weeks ago, Brent Johnson from the Organ Media Foundation came to the First Congregational Church of St. Louis, where I work, to film our Austin pipe organ.
Weekends can be really tricky for church workers. They’re busy for us, but often, that’s when our families and friends have time to spend together. Bill and I share how we’ve navigated the challenges—and opportunities—of working on the weekends.
I’ve been thinking a lot about “calling” lately. No surprise, since I started a podcast called “Called” and our first episode was about what “calling” could mean. Although I’ve come to identify with the term, I haven’t always felt this way.
Today I have some special for you – a guest post! It’s by Craig Harmann, who you may already know from his writing over at Church Music Makers. Craig has been in ministry for 18 years and while he’s felt “called” to ministry this whole time, what he believes “calling” IS has changed over the …
It’s that time of the year! On this episode of the Called podcast, Bill and I talk all things wrapping up the program year. Celebrating the good things, learning from what didn’t work so well, and thinking about where to go next. (Plus the important question, “When should the next program year begin?”)
Last summer, I was the new kid in town. I started my new position at a church in June, right after the program year ended and people scattered to their summer travels. But I wanted to get to know everyone involved in the music program, especially choir members and handbell ringers. And I didn’t want …
The Best Thing I Did At Church Last Summer (And Why I’m Doing It Again) Read More »
“The great thing about a chord – you’re already dealing with something people enjoy. You’re not telling people God is a problem to be solved – you’re saying that the Trinity is a reality to be enjoyed.” – Jeremy Begbie I knew our conversation would be theologically rich—Dr. Jeremy Begbie IS a theologian, after all—but …