I don't know what day of the week it is, but I know that it is Harvey +14, two weeks since Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Corpus Christi, Texas. I am a part of 3 organizations that are responding to Harvey: Spirit of Joy! Lutheran Church, The Gulf Coast Synod, ELCA, and LEAD. In different … [Read more...]
The Dishonesty of “Bivocational Ministry” | Part 2
As I have heard denominational officials and church commentators advise "bivocational ministry" as a way forward for the struggling congregations, I have been deeply uncomfortable. Not that there isn't a great history and tradition of pastors who have jobs and careers outside of the church. There … [Read more...]
The Dishonesty of “Bivocational Ministry” | Part 1
Across denominations the issues of declining attendance and decreasing offerings are hot-button topics. Where the discomfort of this crunch is most often felt is in the question of clergy salaries. Paying for a full-time pastor (minister, priest, deacon) is often the biggest single expense in the … [Read more...]
5 Words of Advice for New Pastors
Originally published March 13, 2013 - the day that Jorge Bergoglio was elected as Pope Francis. For the last year, I have served as Dean of my local conference. For those not in the ELCA, a conference is a small geographically defined division of the church. Among my responsibilities is … [Read more...]
