I prefer…
I prefer silver to gold jewelry. I’m not sure why, but I always have. I prefer mustard to ketchup, white bread to..
More Stories from this Author
Time for Advent
With respect to Advent Scripture referencing the Second Coming of Christ, William Barclay says Advent is a space to never become so..
It’s a great time to be a Presbyterian
It’s easy for me to “remember back” to the PC(USA)’s decisions to ordain gay ministers and allow for the officiating of same-gender..
Authority?
“Now listen up,” the father said to his son during coffee hour at church. “Your pastor has some wisdom to offer you..
“I’m a pastor.”
This month we asked our bloggers about how they view the role of pastor, how they understand their pastoral identity, or to..
Making sense of preaching
When I talk about myself out loud, I don’t always make sense. I like tomatoes, sugar and salt, but I hate ketchup..
5 things I’ve learned on my fifth ordination anniversary
Someone in my presbytery recently texted me: “Happy 5th ordination anniversary.” Our presbytery prints ordination anniversaries in the weekly email, but without that..
Megachurch or a great church swap?
Over a decade ago now (and yes, I do feel old now that I can actually count in decades!), I attended a..
Celebrating singleness
I’m single, and I still find it challenging to write about being single in ministry. But I am going to do it..
Can Jesus teleport?
Can Jesus teleport? A child asked this at the last church I served. And the response from a nearby pastor was: “Yes. ..
Family baptism
Having attended a more evangelical seminary, there were lots of different views on the sacrament of baptism floating around. And I was..
Brainstorming and spiritual leaders
I remember the first time I heard the word “brainstorm” as a little kid in school. My imagination immediately kicked in and..
Confessions of a type A pray-er
I remember when I was in seminary when a friend asked me to pray for him. “I’m only asking you,” he said,..
Waiting as a spiritual practice
I think it would be accurate to say that most of life is lived and experienced in the in-between. While it may..
When labels invade the church
I recently had the opportunity to hear the stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), J. Herbert Nelson, speak as part of..
What about heaven?
I recently began a new call as a solo pastor. I’ve been preaching the lectionary Scripture texts since I arrived in April...
Self-care Jesus-style
This month we asked our bloggers to share how they are caring for their bodies and souls in the midst of the..
A jar of pickles
I recently left my first call as associate pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Rockford, Illinois, to take my second call as..
Cancer and listening to the Spirit
When I first saw the invitation to blog about cancer and the church, I have to admit (and now will have admitted..
Thoughts on church technology from an Oregon Trailer
A read a blog post a few years ago about "The Oregon Trail generation." Well, that's me! The article focused on..
When God is silent
Recently, two of my friends surprised me by flying my twin sister out on my birthday weekend to celebrate. We are identical..
Reading to know God: Four writers that inspired my faith
As a companion to our spring book issue, we asked our bloggers about their experiences of writing as a spiritual practice. Here..
New year, new words: “You have heard it said … but I say to you”
Amidst all that surrounds New Year’s resolutions – hope, turning over a new leaf and unbridled optimism – there is a lot..
God at work in 2016 … and way before that
We asked our bloggers to share where they’ve seen God at work in 2016. Here is what they shared. I'm the type..
Time set aside: Being present in seminary
Guest Outpost blog by Julie Raffety This week we asked our bloggers to share three things they would have liked to tell..