Tuesday on the blog means that it is time to share some links to things that I have read and found interesting over the past week. To help make sense of the links, I have grouped them in the following categories: Church and Ministry Thought & Practice; Leadership Thought & Practice; Stewardship; and Vocation. I hope you enjoy this edition of the links.

Church and Ministry Thought & Practice
Last week as promised in the last edition of the links, I offered a look back at the Nebraska Synod Assembly, writing my summary as titled by the assembly’s theme, “Grace to Us, Grace Through Us.”

Friend and pastor Andrew Dietzel shared a nice reflection after synod assembly for his congregations and others about the many partners in ministry the synod has and includes, writing about, “Serving Arms: Ministry of We the Synod.”

If you are preaching this week on the revised common lectionary check out friend and professor Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis‘ thoughts in her post, “The Laborers are Few.”

Last week I came across this nice little post about the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the Orthodox Patriarch praising Luther on freedom.

Friend and “Digital Pastor” David Hansen shared some important thoughts and food for discussion in the first part of a series of posts on “The Dishonesty of ‘Bivocational Ministry.'”

Given this strange chapter of American history and politics we seem to perhaps be in currently, you might be wondering about the politics of your religious leader. Here’s perhaps a helpful summary and overview.

If you are in the Pacific Northwest, I invite you to participate in the “Seeking Shalom Conference” on Saturday July 29th.

Leadership Thought & Practice
Jon Mertz at Thin Difference shared a timely and important reflection about what he sees as “The Leadership Power Shift Underway (a political and business undercurrent).” I think Jon is right on with this post, and I am seeing the same shifts from my perspective too. What do you think about this leadership power shift? Are you seeing it in your area?

Stewardship
Are you preaching this week? If so, I shared some thoughts yesterday with some hopefully helpful stewardship preaching tidbits based on the revised common lectionary and narrative lectionary readings for this coming weekend.

Friend Marcia Shetler wrote that “Great Teams Lead to Great Stewardship.” Check out Marcia’s thoughts, and also see what other resources the Ecumenical Stewardship Center could help provide for your stewardship ministry.

Friend Adam Copeland shared a some background on crowdfunding Christian ministry, along with “tips and tricks” he’s discovered through his research on the subject. What might crowdfunding look like for your context? How could it be part of stewardship practices for you?

Adam also shared a stewardship and vocation themed reflection about “Stewardship in Times of Transition” by Rev. Angela Denker.

Vocation

Friend, pastor, and blogger Matt Byrd shared some vocational and life reflections in writing a post entitled, “The one where I think about busy-ness and spending time with God.”

My parents recently returned from travels in Namibia, and since then my Mom has been writing up her thoughts and journal entries. The first post from her journey has been posted on the “Collaboration Ministries” blog. Check it out and join the fun and learning of their journey.

Last week I shared a few thoughts celebrating, giving thanks for, and remembering my great aunt Sophie.

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That will conclude this week’s edition of the links. I hope you have enjoyed them, and that you are enjoying the new rhythm to the blog. If you have ideas for me, please let me know in the comments. Thank you for reading and being part of the conversation, and blessings on your week! -TS

Image Credits: The links.