Tuesday on the blog means that I get to share some of what I have seen, read, and found interesting with all of you. To help make sense of these links, I have grouped them by the following categories: Church and Ministry Thought & Practice; Cross-Sector Collaboraton; Leadership Thought & Practice; Millennials; Neighbor Love; Social Media & Blogging; Stewardship; Vocation and Miscellaneous. I hope you enjoy these links!

Church and Ministry Thought & Practice

For those of you preparing sermons or for leading worship this coming weekend, check out the following resources. If you are following the revised common lectionary: Bishop Michael Rinehart shared some reflections and ideas about “Pentecost 11B“; Rev. Dr. David Lose wrote and shared, “Pentecost 11B: Ordinary Things“; and friend and professor Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis shared some deeper reflections about the gospel reading from John 6:35, 41-51, writing that the “Past Matters.” For a broader thematic look at this month’s readings and about how “Food fills the menu in August’s lectionary,” check out “Bread from Heaven,” by Patricia Tull.

If you are following the narrative lectionary check out the “Commentary on Hebrews 1:1-4,” written by Rev. Dr. Craig Koester.

Friend, pastor and blogger Aaron Fuller shared an important and honest reflection writing, “‘I am not welcome…’ Reflecting on race, ethnicity, & the Lutheran Church.”

Church and Social Media (#ChSocM) shared a transcript of its weekly Twitter chat which last week focused on “Training Your Church’s Social Media Team,” which was moderated by Neal Fischer.

Friend, pastor and blogger Joe Smith shared this report from the Public Religion Research Institute by Joanna Piacenza and Robert Jones about “The Top Two Religious Groups that Dominate American Cities.”

Blogger, pastor and writer Clint Schnekloth shared this announcement about the “Reformation 500th Anniversary and ELCA Churchwide Assembly 2016.”

Friend and blogger J.W. Wartick shared what I think is a helpful post about “A Sacramental/Lutheran Response to Women in Church Leadership.”

Augsburg Fortress CEO and friend Beth Lewis shared an “Open Letter” to Sundays & Seasons subscribers.

Friend, pastor and blogger Frank Johnson wrote about, “One way the Youth Gathering showed me we have a long way to go.”

Friend and LEAD executive director, Peggy Hahn, shared about being part of a “Global Village.”

Cross-Sector Collaboration

Friend and blogger Chris Michaelis shared this detailed and thought provoking article on “Why the Iran Deal makes President Obama’s critics so angry,” by Peter Beinart.

Tom Murphy at the Humanosphere wrote and asked, “U.N.-style justice for Cecil the lion?”

Blogger and social leadership theorist Julian Stodd shared thoughts and reflections especially this past week about culture writing, “A Sense of Culture,” “Transient Culture,” and some other “Reflections.”

Leadership Thought & Practice

The Connective Leadership Institute shared this post by Lolly Daskal detailing “7 Smart Habits of Great Innovators.” The habits listed that will help likely become more innovative include: constantly connect the dots; commit to asking questions; actively try new things; find points of intersection with others; have a sense of purpose; cross-pollinate ideas; and make innovation a daily routine. Lolly also shared that, “The Act of Empowering Others Changes Lives.”

Tanveer Naseer explained about “Why Vacations are Critical for Successful Leadership,” noting in particular that vacation breaks: give us the opportunity for reflection and review; fuel our creativity muscles by allowing us to pursue other interests; and they create opportunities for employees to grow.

Joelle Jackson shared about “5 Qualities of a Conscious Leader,” highlighting: self-awareness; win-win; recognizing that everything is a learning opportunity; reconciling differences; and wisdom.

Steve Keating asked an important leadership question, “Can you Adapt?”

Friend, professor and mentor Dr. Terri Elton shared this article by Lauren Kent from the Pew Research Center, noting that the “Number of women leaders around the world has grown, but they’re still a small group.”

Dan Rockwell shared a number of good leadership reflections and insights over the past week. These included thoughts about: “When Effort is High but Performance is Low“; “The Toxic Leader Score“; “10 Things We All Want from our Leaders“; “5 Painful Leadership Blunders Successful Leaders Avoid“; and “The 7 Pursuits of Successful Leaders.”

Barbara Wallraff wrote and shared, “Improve Your Writing to Improve Your Credibility.”

Daniel Goleman shared thoughts about “What it Takes to Become a Socially Intelligent Leader.”

Michael Hyatt shared about “5 Ways Reading Makes You a Better Leader.”

Anne Loehr wrote this fascinating post about “What 3 Fictional Heroines Can Teach Future Female Leaders,” reflecting on Hermione Granger, Katniss Everdeen, and Beatrice Prior. Check this out.

Seth Godin shared about “Three things that make CEOs stupid,” highlighting: power, exposure, and the truth. Awhile back Seth also responded to a common misconception, “I don’t have any good ideas.”

Skip Prichard explained “12 Ways Going Social Improved My Leadership as CEO.”

Cynthia Bazin and Dan Forbes shared “The Best of Lead with Giants- August 2015,” definitely check this roundup out for more great leadership thoughts, ideas, questions and reflections.

Over at Thin Difference, Megan Dougherty wrote about “Keeping Your Focus on the Details.”

Millennials

Jeremy Chandler at Thin Difference wrote and shared, “Before You Hire Your Next Millennial… Read This.” Definitely read this post and spend some time with it and its implications. Within this Jeremy shares 3 things to know before you hire your next Millennial: We need to feel like we’re more than just another number; We need to know the why behind what you do; and we don’t expect to stay forever… and we expect you to be okay with that.

Gail Marks Jarvis wrote, “On the money: Dear millennials, you’re ruining the economy; now move out.” What do you think?

Art Rainer shared about “Nine Financial Decisions Millennials Need to Make Right Now.”

Chelsea Krost shared this post by Alyssa Huntley, “Power, purpose and passion: 3 keys to happy millennial workers.”

Neighbor Love

Jesse James DeConto shared an extensive interview titled, “For All the Sinners and Saints,” with pastor, blogger and writer Nadia Bolz-Weber.

Friend, pastor and blogger Stephanie Vos wrote over at The Salt Collective about the distinction of “I Have Fat vs. I Am Fat.”

Rozella White shared an honest, powerful and moving reflection in writing, “A Word About Not Knowing What to Do.”

Friend, blogger and artist Vonda Drees shared a number of beautiful posts over the past week. These included: “when we dare“; “beauty’s Artist“; “let’s dream“; “the same pattern“; “Lawrence’s gift“; “one and many“; and “dancing with Paradise.”

On this blog I shared a sermon from this past weekend based on Song of Solomon entitled, “Passionate Love.”

Friend, blogger and Mennonite Church communications director, Hannah Heinzekehr shared a sermon she gave earlier this summer based on Luke 24 entitled, “On ascensions and chaos.”

Hannah also shared this post by Lauren Markoe, “Why stay? A new book looks at feminists who refuse to give up on faith.” Congratulations are in order to Hannah especially, because she authored a section of this book! Go and check it out!

John Pavlovitz wrote that, “Evangelical Christianity’s Love Affair with Ronda Rousey Reveals its Hypocrisy.”

John Pavolvitz also wrote and asked, “Are We All Selectively Pro-Life People?” What do you think?

Friend, blogger, pastor, and Ph.D. student Amanda Brobst-Renaud shared this post by Leslie Salzillo about how a, “Catholic Nun Explains Pro-Life in a Way that Will Stun Many.”

Amanda also shared this reflection she wrote about “Fast Food Jesus, Drive Through Grace.”

Nate Pyle wrote and posited, “When Tissue is a Person: How Thomas Gray Helped Me Think about Planned Parenthood.”

Friend, pastor and blogger Frank Johnson shared his sermon for the past weekend based on Psalm 51, “Repentant Songs, sinful kings, and why good people aren’t just rare but impossible.”

Pastor and blogger Todd Buegler shared about “Being Together,” as well as his sermon for the past weekend based on John 6, “I Know You, I Know Your Heart.”

Friend, professor, and blogger Dr. Ron Byrnes shared a little about “The Art of Getting Along.”

Social Media & Blogging

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

For those who assemble and curate sets of resources or “roundups” like this, check out this post from Brian Honigman, “The Step-by-Step Guide to Creating an Effective Expert Roundup Blog Post.”

Stewardship

I came across this great post from last December by Krista Tippett, writing and offering some alternative ideas to Christmas and giving in explaining, “Why I Don’t Do Christmas.”

Over on the COMPASS blog I shared reflection inspired by packing and moving and the blog’s “Christmas in July” series about “Meaningful Gifts- Stories Remembered While Packing.” This also appeared as an excerpt on this blog.

Also on the COMPASS blog I shared the introductory post to the blog’s August series, writing about “Planning for the Fall- Stewardship and Young Adults.”

Kristi at Young Adult Money shared about “5 Budget Rules You Should Break.” Good advice. What would you add?

Also at Young Adult Money, DC shared ideas about “How to Maintain Good Credit.”

Vocation

Friend and blogger Julia Nelson shared some life and vocational updates with her “Tuesday Tea Time.”

Blogger and social leadership theorist Julian Stodd shared thoughts about “Taking Time.”

Friend, blogger and pastor Diane Roth reflected on life, work and vocation while “Listening to the Rain.” Diane also shared a little potential discernment and thoughts about possible signs in writing, “As The Deer.”

Intern Pastors Ben and Kristen Eisele shared thanks, gratitude and vocational reflections in writing about “A Change of Season.”

Friend and blogger Jenna shared a beautiful post about her now one year-old.

Miscellaneous

Friend, math teacher and Mariners blogger Tim Chalberg had a lot of fun providing updates and thoughts about the baseball trade deadline last week. Tim wrote that the “2015 Trade Deadline Belongs to Sellers” based on the large number of big trades that happened last week. He also shared news and thoughts about the Mariners’ trades, noting that “Ackley goes for Flores and Ramirez,” “Happ to Pirates,” and that “Lowe (was) traded to Jays for three prospects.”

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That concludes this week’s edition of the links. I hope you have enjoyed them. As always, if you have particular questions or topics for me to think about on the blog, please share them. Also, if there are things you would like to see included in the links, please let me know that too. Until next time, thank you for reading and being part of the conversation. Blessings on your week! -TS

Image Credits: The Links and “beauty’s Artist.”