Some thoughts on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Today, the United States observes Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  In doing so, we remember and celebrate a leader, visionary, and one of the foremost people who authentically lived and understood what it really means (in its most difficult of ways) to love one’s neighbor. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day of service, a day of reflection, and a day of learning and … Continue reading Some thoughts on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

This Week’s Links

It’s Tuesday.  That means its time to share a sampling of things I have read and found interesting and thought provoking over the past week.  This week’s topic categories are: Church and Ministry Thought & Practice; Cross-Sector Collaboration; Leadership Thought & Practice; Neighbor Love; and Worship.  I entrust these to you now for your reading and thought. Church and Ministry Thought & Practice Karl Vaters … Continue reading This Week’s Links

The Baptism of Our Lord

Today many Christian congregations celebrate the First Sunday after Epiphany.  On this day, these congregations usually remember the “Baptism of Our Lord.” This is the day we remember Jesus’ baptism in the River Jordan.  Many congregations will incorporate this into their worship through possibly the “Thanksgiving for Baptism” liturgy and other possibly unique baptism practices that congregations have (such as lighting candles to remember the … Continue reading The Baptism of Our Lord

Epiphany

Happy Epiphany! Today is January 6th. This is the day many in the Christian faith observe and celebrate Epiphany.  Epiphany is the day that we observe the coming and visit of the Magi, Wise Men, or Wise Guys, depending on your interpretation.  Though nativity sets usually depict them as part of the scene, it is quite likely that they probably did not visit baby Jesus … Continue reading Epiphany

This Week’s Links- The last of the links for 2013

Happy New Year’s Eve!  Also, Happy Seventh Day of Christmas!  As this is Tuesday, its time to provide you with a sampling of some of the things I have been reading or thinking about in the past week.  This week’s topic categories are:  Church and Ministry Thought & Practice; Leadership Thought & Practice; Neighbor Love; Social Media & Blogging; and Stewardship. I entrust these to … Continue reading This Week’s Links- The last of the links for 2013

In Gratitude

This week has been a great week.  This week has also been a hard week.  Today was my final Sunday at the church I have served on staff for a little over the past 3 years.  I started there as Music Ministry Coordinator and within a year was the Worship Coordinator.  This was the fourth Advent and Christmas season I helped guide the congregation through. … Continue reading In Gratitude

And so this is Christmas…

Merry Christmas!  As we begin the actual “Twelve Days” of Christmas, we remember what it can mean for God to literally break into the world in new and unexpected ways.  One of the best quotes that I have seen shared this year comes from Michael Spencer.  He writes: “The incarnation is the complete refutation of every human system and institution that claims to control, possess … Continue reading And so this is Christmas…

This Week’s Links

It’s Tuesday. It’s also Christmas Eve.  Merry Christmas to all of you!  As hinted at last week, this week’s links and next week’s (because of Christmas and New Year’s) links will likely be a bit shorter than usual. But that’s okay. I still intend to share some of what I have read or pondered about over the past week.  This week’s categories are:  Church and … Continue reading This Week’s Links

Words and Actions Matter- Neighbor Love in Light of Recent Events

I was fully intending for my next post to be about leadership, primarily about learning leaders. But then news had to break out over the past two days across the country, in this week before Christmas which I feel called to reflect on and perhaps even respond to.  My response is my own personal reflection, and is not representative of anything or anyone but myself. … Continue reading Words and Actions Matter- Neighbor Love in Light of Recent Events

This Week’s Links

Happy Tuesday!  As it is the practice on this blog, I share some of the things that I have found interesting or thought-provoking over the past week.  This week’s categories are:  Church and Ministry Thought & Practice; Cross-Sector Collaboration; Leadership Thought & Practice; Neighbor Love; Social Media & Blogging; Stewardship; Vocation; Worship; and Miscellaneous.  I entrust these to you, and hope you enjoy them. Church … Continue reading This Week’s Links