On the first Sunday after Pentecost, many in the larger Christian Church observe a day celebrating the Holy Trinity. The week prior on Pentecost, we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit. This week we are allowed a little space in worship to remember and contemplate deeply what it might mean that God is Three Persons (and all the mystery related to that), or if … Continue reading The Holy Trinity (First Sunday after Pentecost)
The calendar now says that it is June. For many people, it is the start of summer. For others, maybe it is even the heart of summer, depending on where you live. Wherever you are it is likely that if you participate in a local faith community your congregational and ministry leaders may be padding themselves on their backs right now after concluding another year … Continue reading Now is the Time
Tuesday is here again. That means on the blog that it is time that I entrust some of what I have stumbled across, thought about and enjoyed over the past week with all of you. This week’s topic areas include: Church and Ministry Thought & Practice; Cross-Sector Collaboration; Leadership Thought & Practice; Millennials; Neighbor Love; Social Media & Blogging; Stewardship; Vocation and Miscellaneous. I hope … Continue reading This Week’s Links
Happy Pentecost! The day of Pentecost occurs on the fiftieth day of Easter. On this day the church observes and celebrates Pentecost, which is a day of celebration of the Holy Spirit. Through and in the Holy Spirit, “the people of God are created and re-created. Pentecost is sometimes called the church’s birthday, but might more appropriately be called its baptism day, since the gift … Continue reading The Day of Pentecost
A while back I was asked to think about evangelism in our present-day context. Friend and pastor Aaron Fuller pondered, “how do you get Mainliners to do it, particularly the older ones?” This is a great question. Before I say anything though, let me offer an admission, I am NO EXPERT at evangelizing. I wouldn’t say I am any good at it either. But what strikes me … Continue reading Evangelism 101?- Or at least how to start the process perhaps
Tuesday on the blog means that it is time to share some links to things I have found interesting and thought provoking over the past week. As I mentioned last week, this week’s edition is a tiny bit shorter because of traveling and other work and project commitments. One of those reasons was being able and blessed to attend two of my friends’ ordinations, which you … Continue reading This Week’s Links
In the midst of life and its many constant changes and transitions, it is imperative that you take time to express that gratitude and thankfulness that resides deep within your heart, mind, and soul. Today’s reflection really comes out of this perspective. Allison and I have had the great joy and pleasure to walk alongside a number of friends as they have discerned calls towards … Continue reading Congratulations, Hallelujah, and Thanks be to God!
You may not be aware of this day of the church year, but today is the day that many observe Ascension Day, or the “Ascension of Our Lord.” This is the day that the church remembers when Jesus ascended into heaven. At the heart of the worship and message of Ascension are two passages, Acts 1:1-11, and Luke 24:44-53. On this day the followers of … Continue reading Ascension Day
Tuesday on the blog means that it is time to share some links to things I have found interesting, head-scratching or thought-provoking over the past week. As always, I break up the links into categories. This week’s topic categories are: Church and Ministry Thought & Practice; Cross-Sector Collaboration; Leadership Thought & Practice; Millennials; Neighbor Love; Social Media & Blogging; Vocation; Worship and Miscellaneous. I hope … Continue reading This Week’s Links
You might often hear the term “lay leadership” every once and awhile in church and ministry areas of thought. Many people describe this differently. The description that I prefer is one meaning the non-congregational staff or non-clergy who are serving in some form of volunteer leadership within a congregation or faith community. Admittedly, it is an insider term and “leaders” or “non-staff leaders” might be … Continue reading How do you cultivate lay leadership?
Timothy Siburg 