Every so often, I wonder how I ended up with two good jobs. I don't know how I got my current full time job with the Presbytery and my call as Associate Pastor. I am shocked that I haven't made some mistake at some point that sent me packing. It's not that I have done... Continue Reading →
“We Must Look to the Future”
There's a story in the lore of First Christian Church-Minneapolis that involves one Dr. George Haggard. Dr. Haggard was already pretty advanced in years when the story begins, but his spirit was still young. What was then Portland Avenue Church of Christ (we became First Christian Church-again-in 1955) was thinking about building a new church... Continue Reading →
More About Young Clergy
Fifty-something Presbyterian pastor, Jan Edmiston chimes in on the young vs. old clergy smackdown: Several pastors seeking paid positions in the church are over age 65. Maybe they still have mortgages, or maybe they’ve used their savings to help their children, or maybe they’ve depleted their savings to pay medical bills. Several of those who... Continue Reading →
More About Young Clergy
Fifty-something Presbyterian pastor, Jan Edmiston chimes in on the young vs. old clergy smackdown: Several pastors seeking paid positions in the church are over age 65. Maybe they still have mortgages, or maybe they’ve used their savings to help their children, or maybe they’ve depleted their savings to pay medical bills. Several of those who... Continue Reading →
Christmas Sunday Sermons: Phoning It In
Alan Bevere is really indignant about the attitude some pastors have about Christmas this year since it falls on a Sunday: I have had conversations with a few pastors in the past few weeks who basically admitted that since worship attendance on Christmas Day and New Year's Day will likely be sparse, they are simply... Continue Reading →
Christmas Sunday Sermons: Phoning It In
Alan Bevere is really indignant about the attitude some pastors have about Christmas this year since it falls on a Sunday: I have had conversations with a few pastors in the past few weeks who basically admitted that since worship attendance on Christmas Day and New Year's Day will likely be sparse, they are simply going... Continue Reading →
Thoughts About Young Clergy
Carol Howard Merritt has a post up about the young clergy crisis. Here's a bit of her post: Since I’ve been chairing a national Presbyterian Church (USA) committee on the Nature of the Church for the 21st century, I’ve been gaining a different perspective on many of the larger trends of our denomination. One thing... Continue Reading →
Thoughts About Young Clergy
Carol Howard Merritt has a post up about the young clergy crisis. Here's a bit of her post: Since I’ve been chairing a national Presbyterian Church (USA) committee on the Nature of the Church for the 21st century, I’ve been gaining a different perspective on many of the larger trends of our denomination. One thing... Continue Reading →
Sunday Sermon: December 4, 2011
“That Will Preach.” Isaiah 40:1-11 and Mark 1:1-8 December 4, 2011 First Christian ChurchMinneapolis, MN It been interesting to walk around the church office these days. It’s kind of become a bit of a museum. As we get ready for the upcoming move to SpringHouse Ministry Center, old newsletters and church bulletins are being taken out of... Continue Reading →
Where’s Jesus?
This past Saturday was the day that the members of First decorate the place. The hallways are decked out in wreaths and garlands, Christmas trees are found in the lounge and in the sanctuary. This year's decorations will be memorable because this is the last Christmas at our current location. In a few weeks, we... Continue Reading →
The Clockwork Pastor 