Tuesday on the blog means that I get to share some of what I have read, seen and found interesting over the past week. This week’s offering of links includes lots of great questions, reflections and food for thought and I have grouped them by the following topic categories: Church and Ministry Thought & Practice; Cross-Sector Collaboration; Leadership Thought & Practice; Millennials; Neighbor Love; Social Media & Blogging; Stewardship; Vocation and Miscellaneous. I hope you enjoy these links and entrust them to you now.

Church and Ministry Thought & Practice

If you are preparing for worship or a sermon this coming weekend, and you use the revised common lectionary, check out these thoughts and reflections from Bishop Michael Rinehart in “Easter 6B- Bearing Fruit.” Also, check out thoughts from Rev. Dr. David Lose in “Easter 6B: On Being Chosen.”

Friend, pastor and blogger Diane Roth shared a couple moving posts over the past week. She wrote and shared, “Cut Off,” a reflection about rural ministry, different meanings of home and community, and finding a place of welcome.

Diane also wrote and shared, “Today, I Cried.” Within this Diane shared, “Today, I officially announced that I have taken a call to another congregation, to people I have just met, and to places I have only seen once or twice.  I am thinking about what I will learn, and who I will meet, and what we will do, together. And I am thinking about what I will miss. Sometimes, many times, that is just where I see God. But, it makes my eyes hurt.” This is a moving read, and one that I suspect that most of us who have gone through transitions can relate to in some way shape or form. Diane, I am excited for you and to see what this new chapter has in store for you. To all my friends down in the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, please welcome Diane! You are gaining another great pastor with a big heart to serve, a willingness to share through her blog and social media and a deep desire to continue learning.

If you are looking for resources for your congregation or faith community related to the recent earthquake in Nepal, check these resources out from Lutheran World Relief.

Friend, blogger and education director Ryan Cumming continued his series about ELCA World Hunger in this post explaining and reflecting about, “What Is Education?”

Peter Smith shared, “Lutherans and Catholics to mark 500th anniversary of the Reformation.”

Christina Embree shared some thoughts and reflections with important implications for cross-generational ministry, writing, “End the Millennial Postmortem.”

Friend, pastor and blogger Stephanie Vos shared a wonderful reflection about ministry, pastoral identity and vocation in writing “This Is What A Pastor Looks Like.” What do you think a pastor looks like?

Church and Social Media (#ChSocM) shared the transcript from their chat last week about “Baltimore and how people of faith used social media to share news and insights, and to support community.”

John Fischer asked, “Are we keeping people out or letting them in?”

Pastor, blogger and author Clint Schnekloth asked and reflected about, “Why are we so confused about mutual ministry?” Good question.

Friends, bloggers and soon to be ordained pastors Will and Katie have continued to share about their journeys and experiences of learning and serving in ministry abroad this year. As part of their continued reflections, Will shared about “A New Way to Look at My Church.”

Brent Lee at Minnesota Connected shared and unpacked in, “Be Fruitful and Multiply: World Religion in 2050 is (Almost) all about Fertility.” Check this out and see what you think.

In an update to a story that you have seen some reports about on the links in the past, Kevin Eckstrom explains that the “Maryland bishop charged in DUI death is defrocked by the Episcopal Church.”

Rev. Dr. Will Willimon shared about “The Art of Preaching,” as well as something his daughter thought he should share about Millennials and the church.

Friend, pastor and blogger Todd Buegler shared about “The Lutheran College Thing.”

Cross-Sector Collaboration

Jeffrey Sachs shared important thoughts with great cross-sector implications for leadership, stewardship, religion and more in writing about “Climate Change and the Catholic Church.”

Over the past week, Julian Stodd has shared a few posts unpacking the “CEDA Model.” First, he shared about “The CEDA Model: checking the vitality of Social Learning communities.” Then he furthered the conversation by sharing about “‘Curation’ and ‘Technology’ in Social Learning,” as well as “‘Engagement’ & ‘Permission’ in Social Learning.”

If you are a remote worker, or at least a freelancer of sorts who does projects or side-work, then you should check out this post by Sarah Gabot featuring “10 Blogs Every Remote Worker Should Follow.”

Leadership Thought & Practice

With the release of the recent Avengers movie in mind, Brian Dodd shared, “30 Leadership Quotes and Lessons from Avengers 2: Age of Ultron.”

Dan Rockwell shared a couple intriguing posts and reflections about “The Top 10 Ways to be an Extraordinary Leader Today,” and “5 Ways to Face Uncertainty with Confidence.” If you find yourself in leadership in general, definitely check out the five ways to face uncertainty with confidence. If you work in ministry, non-profits, etc., I think you will especially appreciate this as well. Within it, Dan highlights these 5 ways: describe more, explain less; make decisions that reflect your values; reconnect with key behaviors that expresses who you are; lighten up; and get an outsider perspective.

Julian Stodd shared quick thoughts about adapting and communication, in “Through the Noise.”

In a look at leadership that really gets me excited because of my love of jazz music, Tanveer Naseer reflected about “What Jazz Taught Me About Leadership.” Within this there are three leadership lessons: communicate from the heart as much as from the mind; create opportunities for your employees to be heard and understood; and we can’t succeed at leadership by sticking to the status quo.

William Green shared, “I’ve Followed Warren Buffett for Decades and these 10 Quotes are what I keep coming back to.”

With the recent earthquake in Nepal in mind, Sabrina Baker shared reflections about “Leading Through Tragedy.”

Steve Keating shared some more thoughts about what he sees as “Today’s Biggest Leadership Challenge,” as well as some good reflection about “Life in the Overlap,” the space to focus on between “things that matter” and “things you can control.”

Bruce Jones at the Disney Institute wrote and pondered about, “Authentic Leadership: How ‘True’ Are Your Actions?” Four ways to demonstrate authentic leadership are highlighted within this, including that authentic leaders are: self-aware and genuine; mission driven and focused on results; lead with their heart (in addition to their mind); and focus on the long term.

Friend, blogger, communications and social media strategist Carrie Gubsch shared this post from Paul Jun, “Must Reads for Leaders: 10 Invaluable Books for Moving Hearts and Minds.”

Cynthia Bazin and Dan Forbes shared a host of great leadership posts in “The Best of Lead With Giants – May 2015.”

Justin Irving shared thoughts about “9 Effective Leadership Practices.”

Friend and professor Dr. Ron Byrnes shared this post about “North Thurston High Teacher Brady Olson,” a hero and a leader.

Lolly Daskal shared, “65 Quotes That Will Dare You to Do Great Things.”

Thin Difference shared a guest post by Sheri Nasim featuring “5 Critical Practices for Emerging Leaders.” The highlighted practices are: add value to every interaction; don’t participate in gossip; be fully present for every meeting; make sure your decisions honor the company values; and ask yourself if you are managing or leading.

Millennials

Jon Mertz at Thin Difference shared reflections about “How to Thwart a Millennial Culture.”

Stefanie wrote about “Understanding Millennials and their Money.”

Chelsea Krost shared this article by Emily Sayer who writes that, “2016 millennial voters may carry election.”

Rachel Held Evans asked and wrote, “Want millennials back in the pews? Stop trying to make church ‘cool.'”

Neighbor Love

With Baltimore and Nepal in mind, Christina Embree shared, “When Fears and Tears Come.”

Odyssey Networks shared, “Preaching Reflections on Freddie Gray and Baltimore.” Included in these reflections are reflections from friends and professors Rev. Dr. Eric Barreto, Rev. Dr. John Nunes and Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis.

In thinking about Baltimore, also check out these links from last week: “The Powerful Scene on the Streets of Baltimore Monday Night that No One is Talking About“; “Baltimore is Burning: 8 Faith Voices You Should Hear“; and “Nonviolence as Compliance.”

Rev. Dr. David Lose shared an “Action in Action Alert: Help Nepal!”

My wife Allison continued her blog post series about life long learning as part of her studies with friend and professor Dr. Mary Hess, writing about “Showing up & being present in our differences.” Allison writes and concludes, “This looks like me offering my historical/cultural analysis in my own leading, designing learning experiences, and preaching, and going back to school to get the credential that shows my church my value and leadership. Yes, there is a tinge of hurt in that last sentence, that it’s only through ordination that I am entrusted with leading in sermon-ing, and leading a community in experiencing communion and baptism, and leading in other ways… so far. Times might change. Systems might change. Expectations might change. It’s through showing up for coffee and modeling a different kind of meaning-making that might be prompt perhaps the most significant learning of all.” Check out this post and the whole series!

Joseph Yoo shared an honest reflection in “One Of My Biggest Regrets.”

Friend and communications director Trip Sullivan shared this wonderful sermon by his wife, pastor, and my friend Rebecca Sullivan from the past weekend.

Daniel T. Stephens shared, “2 Critical Questions to Help Discern the Greatest Good.” The questions he highlights are: What is the long game here? And, what are the potential synergies?

Blogger and pastor Laura N. Groen shared and wrote, “Dear White Guys,” as well as about “Church ‘Outreach’ and Baltimore.”

My brother, and current graduate student, Thomas Siburg shared this post by Ana Swanson, “This one video shows how racism is real in America.”

Blogger and pastor Jan Edmiston wrote and asked, “When I Say ‘White Privilege’ Do You…”

Friend and blogger J.W. Wartick wrote and shared a “Microview: ‘Searching for an Adequate God’ edited by John Cobb Jr. and Clark Pinnock.”

In a feel good story of neighbor love in action from the past week, check this story out, “Man sees homeless woman living in the dirt, builds her a tiny house.”

Friend, artist and blogger Vonda Drees shared a whole host of awesome and beautiful posts over the past week. These included: “the revolution of love,” “every breath,” “this mystery called love,” “koinonia vision,” and “beloved.” Vonda also shared “What differences did I notice in those closest to me?” and “It lights the whole sky.”

Pastor and blogger Nancy shared about “An Act of Civil Disobedience.”

The Economist shared some thoughts and data bout “Capital crimes.”

Friend and professor Dr. Mary Hess shared a beautiful rendition of “Stand by me.” (On a related note, Ben E. King, the singer and songwriter originally behind that classic song passed away over the weekend. Check out that link for more on his life and career.) Mary Hess also shared this helpful piece about “Practicing Nonviolence.”

Rev. Stephen Parelli wrote and shared, “‘Promise me you won’t come to my funeral,’ said the evangelical sister to her gay Christian brother.” What a sad story, all the way around.

Friend, pastor and blogger Frank Johnson shared his sermon for the past weekend based on Romans 1:1-17, “The one where I get off on a law-gospel kick because it’s Romans and I can’t help it.”

Renee Tessman shared that, “Billboard for gay conversion therapy prompts protest.” I am very proud of these students who protested this terrible billboard.

Friend, pastor and Ph.D. student Amanda Brobst-Renaud reflected about “Abiding.”

Pastor and writer Nadia Bolz-Weber wrote and shared, “The Worst: A Sermon about Baltimore, Eunuchs, Evangelical Conferences and how Irritating the Holy Spirit Can Be.”

Also last week on the blog I shared this sermon by my uncle and pastor Jeff Tengesdal, about “Easter, The Good Shepherd and Confirmation.”

Social Media & Blogging

Friend and blogger J.W. Wartick shared his version of the links with his “Really Recommended Posts.”

Michael Hyatt wrote, “Find out what the world’s most successful bloggers do to drive big traffic.”

Yael Grauer shared, “7 Ways to Simplify Complex Content While Maintaining Sophistication and Nuance.”

Liz Azyan shared about “How to Live-Tweet an Event to Help Your Business.”

Steven Wilson shared “131+ Free Quote Images for your Blog and Social Media Shares.”

Stewardship

The COMPASS blog shared one more post as part of its April series of reflections and thoughts about earth stewardship and creation care with this guest post by Carl Samuelson, “Vocationally, we all are earth stewards (even if we don’t have a ‘green job’).” Check out the post and join the conversation.

Also in thinking about creation care and earth stewardship, pastor and blogger Nurya Love Parish shared, “A great Earth Day sermon.”

Young Adult Money shared a couple intriguing posts over the past week. First, Erin shared and asked, “The Mentality Around Student Loan Debt: What’s the Rush?” Also, DC asked, “Is Roku the Key to Cutting Cable Forever?”

Friend and Classy Frugalist Grace Duddy Pomroy shared “10 Small Ways to Bring in Additional Income.”

Michelle at Making Sense of Cents asked, “Are You Frugal, Cheap, or a Thief?”

Vocation

Friends Katie and Will continued to detail their travel adventures (or misadventures, depending on how you classify them), by writing and sharing, “Cameroon, Here We Come!” That post was followed up with this update, “…and by Cameroon, we meant Kenya.” Ultimately, they did make it, which they detailed about in “Hello Cameroon!”

Rev. Dr. David Lose shared, “5 Ways to Kill Your Dreams.”

Friend and blogger Julia Nelson shared a couple vocationally rich posts with her installments of “Tuesday Tea Time,” and “Sunday Snippets.”

I stumbled upon this post from last summer by Chantalle Gerber, “101 Thought Provoking Questions to Ask Yourself Before It’s Too Late.”

Friend and professor Dr. Ron Byrnes shared, “Let’s Say Your’re a Non-Conformist.”

Miscellaneous

If you are interested in creative ways to save money and spruce up your living space, here are “25 Bathroom Hacks You’ll Want to Share with Everyone.”

Friend, math teacher and Mariners fanatic and blogger Tim Chalberg shared a post summing up the first month of the season, “One for April.”

If you are a frequent air traveler, check out this post by Razel Mella, “Travel like a pro: fly through airport security with TSA PreCheck.”

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That will conclude this week’s edition of the links. I hope you have enjoyed them! As always, if you have topics, ideas or questions that you would like for me to think about on the blog, please let me know. Also, if you have types of things to include in the links, please let me know that too. Until next time, thank you for reading and blessings on your week! -TS

Image Credits: The Links, “this mystery called love” and “beloved.”