Ministry

Can the language of leadership be redeemed?  I find the language of leadership (developed in the business world) deeply problematic.  When I hear pastors talk about churches as franchises, or businesses I cringe.  The newest cringe inducing statement is a justification for online communion.  United Methodist liturgical leaders urged a moratorium on online communion after it … [Read more...] about Can the Language of Leadership Be Redeemed?

After listening to this week’s episode of On The Media I was left wondering why we are so obsessed with John F. Kennedy as a culture.  I never really thought about it before.  Part of me really liked the explanation that it is Baby Boomer narcissism, it appealed to my generational superiority complex.  Obviously the assassination has something to do with it.  I know I often … [Read more...] about Sacrifice

This post is part of a synchblog to celebrate the one year anniversary of Dream UMC. One of the most popular passages in the book of Galatians is the one on the fruits of the Spirit.  Pastors love to preach sermon series based on it.  Christians love to memorize it.  What is less popular are the verses that immediately precede it.  Before Paul describes the fruits of the … [Read more...] about Schism

I have been trying hard to move past reporting numbers on a regular basis to the Vital Congregation website.  No one in my congregation is happy about it either, but we have agreed to try and comply.  When I read or hear misinformation propagated by the conference and my blood pressure starts rising, I try and take Bishop Lowry’s advice to our conference to "breath deep" and … [Read more...] about Institutionalizing Envy

Last year the churches I serve were asked to predict the future.  After a series of conversations, we set some goals and submitted them to the conference.  Our conference solicited the goals as part of the Vital Congregations program. I had hoped this would be a yearly request and we would not be requested to report on a regular basis to the Vital Congregation program. At a … [Read more...] about Tools and Trust