We do not see individualized, compartmentalized faith modeled in the New Testament.
“Far from the Tree” by Andrew Solomon
For those of us in ministry this book is a constant challenge to seek the image and likeness of God in those places and people where it may not be so evident on the surface. (Nonfiction)
What Is Most Important?
These reasons for growth transcend simply being at the right place at the right time.
Dying to Live
To be a good minister—a good shepherd faithfully following the Good Shepherd—sometimes you have to order the “death” of something you love.
“Beartown” by Fredrik Backman
This book is actually about many things and it is a good old-fashioned plot-driven, character-rich novel. (Fiction)
Not My Circus
What do we leaders do when it IS our circus—all three rings of it?
We Are Not Alone
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. But not when it comes to God.
“Vietnam” by Max Hastings
I never really understood the war then or later, so reading this book was, for me, a way to reckon with a history that never made sense to me. (Nonfiction)
Rats Don’t Wear Boots
It seems like the adage of pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps is still thriving. The rats, however, have a different opinion.
When the Right Church and the Right Minister Find Each Other, Everybody Wins
You might say that we run a dating service for ministers and churches; we highlight for a church someone they may wish to call.
Apathetic Apophatics Washing Dishes
I fear we’ve used our friend Brother Lawrence to excuse our apathetic prayer lives, assigning him words he never said.
“Everything Is Illuminated” by Jonathan Safran Foer
Ultimately, I think the book is about memory, language, and what Alex calls “common decencies.” (Fiction)
Opportunity at the Gate
Jesus’s parables catch me off guard, causing me to question whether my assumptions about myself, God, and the kingdom are grounded in truth.
A Most Complex Hug
While many feel inspired by this embodiment of love and forgiveness, others believe you cannot hug away decades of racism and police brutality.
“Reading the OED” by Ammon Shea
You know you must be really hard up for reading material when you resort to reading the dictionary. (Nonfiction)
It Is What It Is. Maybe.
The topic of faith and aging is always present, so why is it a gap in my faith community experiences?
Vulture Brain
There’s something unsettling about vultures. These birds that traffic in death. That subsist off another’s end. That fly circles around the weak and vulnerable, the dying and dead.
The Power of Showing Up
We want to make a difference in the lives of our family, our community of faith, and our world.
“A Mercy” by Toni Morrison
Morrison writes so brilliantly and compellingly that we might not immediately notice how often she is describing very sordid actions. (Fiction)
For Elders in Conversation with Upset Families about Gender Inclusion, Read This
Gender communication style differences played a large role during our gender inclusion process.