It must be written by someone who loves the church with the clear-eyed vision of a prophet, the quiet confidence of a mystic, and the careful delivery of a preacher.
Heartbroken
I am heartbroken most of all that so much of the hatred is coming from those professing to be believers, Christ-followers.
Shadow Stalking
I believe we haven’t done much teaching about shadow in church settings. Only with mature honesty can a true, peace that passes all understanding guard our hearts.
Partnering with Churches and Ministers to Discern God's Call
Whether you are a minister wrestling with the question of whether it is time to go, or a church leader faced with questions of ministerial transition, reach out to the Siburt Institute.
Liking to Be Liked
We like to feel like we make a difference, that people appreciate us and know that we are there. I like to be liked … and sometimes that’s a problem.
Searching for Human Goodness
There is human goodness to be found. This is the hope of God in the world: the eternal love and light of God emanating through willing vessels to restore our fragmented world.
Gaining Perspective
With perspective we gain the insight that what is old was once new; what is new will one day be old. However, Christ is still Christ; he always has been and always will be.
What Are We Doing Here … at Church?
It’s not the feet of Jesus crushing Satan this time. It’s “your” feet. Our feet. The feet of all those in that church directory. The feet of those sitting beside you on Sunday morning.
A Productive Silence
On Monday I will participate in the lecture series hosted by CSART (Center for the Study of Ancient Religious Texts.
The Loneliest Number
Ministry, whether it be as a profession or as the call that comes to each follower of Jesus, can be a lonely business. We don’t like being alone—or more specifically, we don’t like being singled out.
Dancing with Suffering
“We live stitch by stitch, when we’re lucky. If you fixate on the big picture, the whole shebang, the overview, you miss the stitching” (13-14).
God, Glory, Giving, and a Natural Disaster
Pray fervently. Prayer is not something to do when you can do nothing else. It is the thing to do before and during everything else.
For the Tears of Children (Houston)
God, I’ve watched the news,
one report after another;
and to be honest—
I can’t look anymore.
Sorry, Dr. Stienke
I desperately want to lead courageously, step out on faith, and lean into God’s dream for my church. I so want to be a strong link in that chain.
Dick Gregory: A Smile in the Struggle
May we live in such a way that when we are lying on our death bed, the only thing we have left to do is die. May we help the world smile in the midst of their daily struggles.
Overwhelming Harvey
I am at a loss of words in the face of hurricane Harvey. I know what it is like to lose everything.
The Spiritual Gift of Grub
It is amazing to me how often Jesus is found eating. The book of Luke records time after time that Jesus came to dinner or told parables about parties.
The Grape Juice Isn’t Purple???
We silently wondered what Bible passages we were violating, but also recalled that the person who usually prepared the Lord’s Supper was home sick today.
The Things that Make for Peace: De-Triangulation
The only way to get those negative emotions out of the relationship, and re-establish the conditions for peace, is for someone to take personal responsibility for their relationship.