I’m a long-term planner at heart. I’ve got my five-year-plan, my yearly plan, my weekly plan – you get the picture. (Y’all, I finished planning Christmas Eve 2020 on the night of Christmas Eve 2019 because I couldn’t sleep!) No surprise, the ongoing uncertainty around worship services has thrown a wrench in my usual process. …
Last summer, my colleagues and I at First Congregational of St. Louis developed a creative, intergenerational worship series. Then, the four of us – Hannah Rice and Emily Stokes, plus Bill and I – turned the series into a 14-week curriculum for other congregations to use. In this episode, the four of us talk about …
A Neighborhood Summer, on Getting to Nimble Ep. 23 Read More »
Most of us church leaders are walking up a steep learning curve right now. Especially in smaller churches, we need technical and musical resources as we move our services and communities online. We also need grace for ourselves and for others as we learn, fail, succeed, and grow. I hope these resources are helpful for …
New year, new decade – pretty exciting stuff! (Or, you know, totally arbitrary….try explaining why today of all days is the “new year” to a 3-year-old!) So today, 12 resources for a thoughtful, organized year – I hope some are helpful to you. Happy New Year!
Social media can be tricky for those of us who minister in churches. Bill and I share four perspectives to help us make wise use of this tool: Ask yourself, “Who is my neighbor?” given the endless, often anonymous nature of social media Use social media as a pastoral tool, a way to minister to …
Here’s how to lead a productive, generous annual review process – and why you should.
Earlier this summer I read Leah Schade’s book Preaching in the Purple Zone: Ministry in the Red-Blue Divide, then interviewed her for my current book project. Preaching in the Purple Zone was also one of my “reads of the week” on the Called podcast, and it’s the only book I’ve ever mega sticky-noted TWICE (a …
Pre-planning funerals give you a chance to talk (and live) the Gospel. Here’s how to help church members pre-plan, plus a bunch of advice on funerals and burial in general.
How can you lead a great committee or staff meeting? And how can you influence a meeting for the good when you’re not running it? Bill and I talk about purpose, organization, and most importantly, energy – with a side of fried chicken and social connection. (Plus the important question: should you forward this episode …
Great Church Meetings (Yes, They’re Possible!), on Called Ep. 9 Read More »
Spoiler alert: it’s flexibility! Why you need it, how to develop it, and how to encourage your congregation toward it – plus an ear toward the Holy Spirit’s leading. Click on the player to listen to the conversation, or scroll down to read the transcript.