Tuesday on the blog means that I get to share some of what I have found interesting and thought provoking over the past week with all of you. To make sense of the links, I have grouped them by the following 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 the links.

Church and Ministry Thought & Practice

For those of you preparing for worship or a sermon for this upcoming weekend, and following the revised common lectionary check out these reflections and ideas from Bishop Michael Rinehart on “Pentecost 5B.” Also, definitely read this reflection in your preparation and study from friend and professor Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis on “Falling from Graces,” and check out “Pentecost 5B: Known and Named,” from Rev. Dr. David Lose.

If you are preparing for worship and following the Narrative Lectionary, check out this “Commentary on Psalm 40:1-10,” by professor Rev. Dr. Rolf Jacobson.

The largest story, in my opinion, both within church and ministry thought as well as under neighbor love this past week, was the hate crime and massacre at Mother Emanuel AME in Charleston, South Carolina. Because of this, there will be a high number of related posts under both sections this week.

For ministry leaders preparing this past weekend, or anytime, to respond to the hate crime as well as racism in our society and church, Odyssey Networks shared a number of “Preaching Reflections on the Charleston, SC, Shooting.” Among those with reflections in this includes friends and professors: Rev. Dr. Eric Barreto, Rev. Dr. Matthew Skinner, Rev. Dr. Dirk Lange, Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis, and Rev. Dr. John Nunes.

In response to Charleston, Carolyn Winfrey Gillette wrote lyrics to the tune of the hymn “Beneath the Cross of Jesus,” which she has invited anyone to use and share in worship, “They Met to Read the Bible.”

Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Bishop Elizabeth Eaton shared a letter in response to Charleston, and I shared that letter on my blog here.

Blogger and pastor Nurya Love Parish wrote, “Murder in Charleston: The Episcopal Church Must Respond.”

Bishop Michael Rinehart shared this post about “The Rev. Honorable Clementa Pinckney” and a memoriam to “The Charleston Victims.”

Additionally, friend and seminarian Ian McConnell shared, “The Call for White Clergy to preach ‘Black Lives Matter.'” Pastor and blogger Lura N. Groen wrote and shared about “White worship after violent racism.” Pastor Emily Scott wrote and shared, “Preaching While White: This Sunday’s Lectionary and Emanuel AME.” And pastor and blogger Jan Edmiston shared, “I Don’t Know What You’re Talking About.”

In other topics, Bishop Michael Rinehart shared news that, “Israeli Settlers Allegedly Burn the Church of the Loaves and Fishes.”

Meghan Clark at the Millennial Journal shared about “Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home,” the recent release of Pope Francis‘ “environmental encyclical.” In a related post, Natasha Geiling shared that, “The Pope’s Encyclical isn’t the first time the Catholic Church has spoken out on the environment.”

Friend and director of LEAD, Peggy Hahn shared thoughts about “Vision.”

Pastor and writer Clint Schnekloth shared, “[All] [Are] [Welcome]: New Media and Ministry.”

Pastor and blogger Nancy, pondered and reflected about “Why do we worship?”

Friend and pastor Brian Mundt shared this thought provoking post by Patrick Scriven who wrote that “The Church Needs More Innovative Pastors like MTV needs more Twerking.” What do you think?

Ron Edmondson shared about “7 of the Most Dangerous Church Cultures I’ve Observed.” The seven cultures that Ron highlights are: selfish, prideful, rigid, cliquish, bullying, stingy and depraved.

Friend and professor Rev. Dr. Dwight Zscheile shared reflections and observations about “The Stories Beneath the Structures.”

Church and Social Media (#ChSocM) shared a transcript of their weekly chat, featuring discussion about “Mid-Year Assessment of Digital Ministry Efforts.”

Friend and professor Dr. Mary Hess shared a helpful detail and overview of the silence from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis related to the sexual abuse of priests, an MPR investigation entitled, “Betrayed by Silence.”

Finally, for today’s random link, how would you feel about sleeping in a church while traveling in England?

Cross-Sector Collaboration

Blogger and social leadership writer Julian Stodd shared about “Stories of Change,” and good food for thought related to “The Co-Creation of Stories: Handle With Care.” Julian also shared some more social leadership pondering and reflection in, “An Imperfect Humanity?”

Michael Hiltzik detailed sadly about “From Wisconsin to California, the decline of public higher ed continues.”

Leadership Thought & Practice

Tanveer Naseer shared a guest post by Dr. Alan Zimmerman detailing “2 Techniques that Transform Leadership Communication.”

Justin Irving shared about the leadership practice of “Understanding Relational Skills.”

Dan Rockwell shared about “When it’s Time to Adapt Rather than than Persist,” as well as reflections about “The Ultimate Pursuit.”

Cranston Holden reflected about “Why meetings are boring and how to make them interesting.”

Steve Keating reflected about “How Leaders Think,” as well as “The Truth about Multitasking.”

Paul Jun explained about “Why Self-Awareness Is the Secret Weapon for Habit Change.”

Anne Loehr wrote and shared, “Italy Talgam: An Interview with the Leadership Maestro.”

Jesse Lipon shared reflections in this video about “The Galvanizing Power of a ‘Big Hairy Audacious Goal.'”

Drew Hendricks shared a list of “15 Quotes from Famous Female CEOs and Entrepreneurs,” which will likely prove inspirational, challenging and thought provoking.

Dan Forbes shared a guest post by Ron McIntyre asking, “Are Soft Skills Overrated?”

Bob Tiede shared a guest post by Don Metznik listing, “The Top 25 Questions Great Leaders Ask.” Check out these questions and put them into practice in your own leadership.

Jon Mertz at Thin Difference pondered, “How Do Holacracy and Freedom Collide?”

Millennials

Michelle Silverthorn shared great thoughts about “Recognizing Millennial Leadership.” Particular attention is given to the leadership reality, a leadership disconnect, and discovering Millennial Leadership. Check out this post and see what you think.

Over at Thin Difference, Molly Page reflected about “How Millennials Are Changing the Way We Work.”

Friend Dr. Dawn Rundman and her husband musician Jonathan Rundman shared their recent podcast, “Creativity Drill,” with thoughts about Millennials and creativity as well.

The Millennial Journal shared reflections and observations from “Millennial Catholics on Pope Francis’ Laudato Si (Praised Be).”

Back in early May, Jenn Jackson wrote and shared, “It Ain’t Going Away: Let’s Talk about White Millennial Racism.”

Karen Attiah reflected about “Charleston, Dylan Roof and the racism of millennials.”

Neighbor Love

Friend, pastor and blogger Aaron Fuller shared reflections on “Our Preoccupation with Individualism.”

The massacre in Charleston and the reality of racism has inspired a multitude of reflections, sermons and responses which I include in the following links.

Meghan Keneally detailed about how the “Charleston Shooting Sparks Outpouring of Grief.”

Friend and pastor Aaron Fuller shared his sermon grounded in the narrative lectionary’s focus text of Psalm 27, in “Psalm 27, Racism, & Christian Love.” Within this Aaron writes, “Christian love is above all things honest.  It is a love that isn’t afraid to say what is true and real, even if that truth is painful.  Christian love has the courage to stand with others in facing that reality and speak honestly about the harshness of realities like racism and speak out against the injustice of suffering caused by it.  And Christian love is also confident, a confident trust that God is found right in the midst of that harsh reality with us, hanging on a cross alongside us, right in the thick of the tragic, sobering honesty of sin and evil in this world.”

Pastor and writer Nadia Bolz-Weber shared her “Sermon on the Martyrs of Charleston and the Power of Christ Crucified and Risen.”

Pastor Michael Waters wrote about, “The Sound of God’s Grief in Charleston.”

Friend and soon-to-be ordained (as in this evening) pastor, Beth Wartick shared “thoughts on pedicures and Mother Emanuel.” [Congratulations and blessings on your ordination Beth!]

John Pavlovitz shared both “A Prayer of Lament to a God who seems late (Charleston, Ferguson, Uganda…),” and explained, “Why We’re Going to Talk about Racism and Guns and Flags and Privilege…Now.”

Benjamin Corey asked, “Yo America- How Many Mass Shootings will it take for you?”

Friend, pastor and Ph.D. student Amanda Brobst-Renaud shared reflection about “Privilege and Apathy.”

Blogger and pastor Jan Edmiston openly shared what she was wrestling with this past weekend in “Look Out for Sick People.”

Bronwyn Lea shared, “A Letter from a White South African to White America.”

Friend, intern pastor and blogger Chris Michaelis shared, “Christian, We Need to Talk…” and a sermon from a week ago about, “A Girl’s Best Friend.”

Ta-Nehisi Coates wrote, “Take Down the Confederate Flag- Now.” I completely agree, and I can’t fathom how a symbol of hatred and bigotry could still fly so openly in our country.

I shared a sermon that I gave for this past weekend, “Tears, Change and Trust,” as well as a copy of the sermon that I had planned to preach earlier in the week before Wednesday, “Climbing in Trust & Facing Trust.”

In speaking of trust, forgiveness and the hope we have and share, Elisha Fieldstadt shared about the families of the victims in Charleston and their words and reaction to the murderer/terrorist who took the lives of their family members.

Lawrence Richardson wrote about how “We Created” that murderer.

Friend and professor Dr. Mary Hess shared, “Grieving with Emmanuel AME Church” and “Grieving, Acting, Loving…”

Kayla Koterwski wrote and shared, “Stop. Pause. Silence,” as well as, “Get into the Boat.”

Melanie Eversley writes that the “Juneteenth celebration resonates in wake of Charleston.”

Friend, professor and mentor Dr. Terri Elton asked, “How will you use your words today?” This is a profound question, worth reflection each day. Within this post Terri writes, “As a realist that wants to lean into a new future I often think my job is to state the problem. But maybe, just maybe, recasting my words in light of the new future I picture might help the world move a bit closer to making it come true.” Check out the post and the included video.

Bishop Michael Rinehart shares a quick reflection about the start of “Ramadan.”

Friend, blogger and artist Vonda Drees shared a number of beautiful posts over the past week. These posts included: “grateful for accompaniment“; “dream ~ risk ~ create“; “that call goes on“; “jungle rain“; “Tu eres la luz del mundo“; “May peace flow like a river“; “a star’s beauty” and “pink dolphins.”

Alexandra Zaslow shared a feel good story about how a “Valedictorian (posted) anonymously to Instagram to make 657 classmates feel special.”

Friend and educational director Ryan Cumming at ELCA World Hunger shared a post by Raymond Pickett, “Exploring: Community Organizing.”

Friend and pastor Melissa Melnick asked and shared, “What if…? (If you know me, you will know that I am always dreaming! How about you?)”

Social Media & Blogging

Venchito Tampon shared, “24 Untapped Ways to Get Ideas for Your Next Blog Post.”

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

Nathan Ellering shared about “How to Republish, Repurpose and Reinvent Your Content Using LinkedIn Publisher.”

Stewardship

Friend and “Classy Frugalist,” Grace Duddy Pomroy shared some great reflections and observations from her new role in “What I’ve Learned So Far (Part 1)” and “What I’ve Learned So Far (Part 2).”

The COMPASS blog continued its June series about having fun on a budget during the summer this past week with, “Fun and Frugal Ideas for the Summer,” from Nicole Brennan at the Barnabas Foundation.

Friend, communications strategist and stewardship thinker Carrie Gubsch shared, “The 4 T’s of Amazing Fundraising Appeals,” by Caryn Stein. The 4 T’s are: timely; touching; trustworthy and tangible.

Erin at Young Adult Money shared “5 Things to Consider Before Becoming Self-Employed.” The five things that Erin notes are: you’re 100% responsible; it can be lonely; you need a financial backup plan; you need a strong network; and you can’t be afraid of failure.

Vocation

Friend and blogger Julia Nelson shared her weekly installments of “Tuesday Tea Time,” “Friday Favorites,” and “Sunday Snippits” featuring life and vocational thoughts and reflections.

As an economics major from Pacific Lutheran University, I was delighted to see this post by Zach Powers about “A PLU Economics Degree: The First Step For Many World-Changing Lutes.”

Speaking of PLU, friend and professor Dr. Ron Byrnes detailed some of his experiences from this past week and weekend in serving and volunteering at the U.S. Open Golf Tournament. Ron shared, “2015 US Open…Halftime Report,” and “US Open Postscript.”

Also with ties from PLU, congratulations and blessings are due to friends Jenna and now Dr. Andrew Reyna.

If you are in, or visiting soon, Washington state, check out these “12 Awesome Things to do in Washington without Opening your Wallet.”

Friend, pastor and blogger Diane Roth shared vocational reflections in “Singing Harmony.”

Friends, bloggers and world travelers Katie and Will provided an update about their experiences and journeys in “Here in Africa…”

Miscellaneous

Friend and blogger J.W. Wartick shared some reflections and reviews of the movie, “‘The Giver’- Hope, Freedom, and Suffering.”

Troy Larson at “Minnesota Connected,” shared news that the “U.S. Bank Claims Naming Rights to New Stadium.”

Friend and blogger Tim Chalberg shared a couple Mariners related posts, arguing that the “Mariners Should Give Up,” and also about his (and mine) excitement that “Edgar Returns” to the Mariners, joining the club as its Hitting Coach.

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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 things to include in future editions, please let me know. Also, please let me know if you have topics or questions you would like me to wrestle with and blog about. Until next time, thank you for reading and being part of the conversation. Blessings on your week! -TS

Image Credits: The Links; “Charleston Saints“; “Mother Emanuel” and “May peace flow like a river.”