It’s Tuesday.  That means its time to share a sampling of things I have read and found interesting and thought provoking over the past week.  This week’s topic categories are: Church and Ministry Thought & Practice; Cross-Sector Collaboration; Leadership Thought & Practice; Neighbor Love; and Worship.  I entrust these to you now for your reading and thought.

Church and Ministry Thought & Practice

Karl Vaters offers an important reflection on church growth, the supposed steps for church growth, and the reality of numbers, results, and expectations.

This could have been shared under Social Media, but I’ll share it here.  Have you ever thought of worshiping via Google Hangouts?  Well, one student at least from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg is exploring the notion with Compline.  What do you think?

Tony Jones shared this reflection early on during this past weekend’s Christianity21 conference in Denver.  Check it out, and if you are interested read more about what was presented, learned, and discussed at the conference.  Check out the Twitter feed too. Tony Jones offered a look back as well on his blog here.

Friend and Luther Seminary professor Rev. Tim Coltvet shares five big ideas that the Center of First Third has been thinking about. Check it out especially if you have an interest in multi-generational and/or inter-generational ministry as well as faith formation.

Cross-Sector Collaboration

For those of you interested in development, economic development, and global development, check out this list and resource for global development leaders on Twitter to follow.

Leadership Thought & Practice

Here are eight questions shared by Matt Monge about servant leadership which would be good for all leaders to honestly and deeply reflect on.

Jon at the Thin Difference shares a perspective on a “fearless millennial leader,” Miki Agrawal.

Here’s a reflection which I found by Paul Simkins in the past week about an effective leader and being humble and grateful.

Bill George offers his thoughts on Target‘s CEO Gregg Steinhafel and the way he is responding to the debit and credit card crisis.

Tim Brown shares, “The Power of Asking the Right Questions.” As he asks, so do I, “what questions are you asking yourself in the New Year?”

Here are some thoughts on leadership, and the importance of diversity for your organization and company from Michael Gregoire. He believes diversity is imperative “especially if you are dreaming bigger.”  I wholeheartedly agree. The wider the perspectives and experiences you have on your team, the better off you are at being able to relate to the world and connect to other’s stories.

Neighbor Love

Friend Rev. Siri Erickson, chaplain at Gustavus Adolphus College, offers reflection on “becoming communities of theologians.” Siri provides three practices needed to create such communities:  1) treat each other like theologians; 2) take the risk to be honest and vulnerable; and 3) embrace the multi-theological nature of Christianity.

I stumbled upon this reflection by Garrison Keillor which he penned four years ago, “Renouncing Evil Powers.” What do you think?

With all of the press about the “War on Poverty” lately, you had to figure it would show up on my blog’s links somewhere. Jim Wallis writes that in order to win this war, and for the sake of those who are most vulnerable and needy, we must work together.

In order to combat poverty, first you at least need to understand the facts and reality of the situation.  Unfortunately, some politicians and leaders often misunderstand these things and then make speeches and announcements which misrepresent reality  and do a disservice to those in need. Here is one such example from Congresswoman Rep. Michele Bachmann.

Here’s a list by Ryan P. Cumming of Martin Luther’s top 10 quotes about ministry among the poor.

In sad news, here is a story about Sam Berns, a 17 year old who passed away this week from Progeria.  Berns was an inspiration for many through the lessons and wisdom he shared about life.

Here are “10 tips for Being a Good Ally,” from Bruce Reyes-Chow.

Worship

Incarnation Lutheran Church in Shoreview, Minnesota provides tips for both parents and the congregation on worshiping with children.

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That will wrap up this week’s links.  If there are specific topics you would like included in these links, please let me know. Also, if there are particular things you would like me to explore or reflect on, on the blog, please let me know that too.  Blessings on your week! -TS

Image Credits:  1) Links and 2) Martin Luther.