Guest commentary by Harry Heintz I don’t know just how I found the writings of Eugene Peterson.  Once I did, it seemed his writings were everywhere.  He was a long-tenured pastor of a Presbyterian Church in Maryland.  Once I started reading Peterson, there was no turning back.  He wrote with deep biblical insight and pastoral authenticity about the spiritual life and the rhythms of pastoring and congregational life. There were no charts or statistics in his books — just penetrating thoughts about long-term obedience to the Lord of the church.  His paraphrase of the Bible, “The Message,” is my favorite paraphrase.  I love its playfulness and depth of insight; I frequently use it in sermons to add shades of meaning to a biblical passage. I like church growth. Seeing a congregation growing in spirit, vision and number of people served, especially new believers, is a good thing.  Some Christians make it something of a cottage industry to condemn churches that grow … [Read more...]

Guest commentary by Alina Kanaski “Have you found a church yet?” As a graduated, unemployed call-seeker, I hear this question several times a week, as well as its cousins: “Do you have a job yet?” and “Any prospects?”  And no, I still haven’t found a church yet. I’m interviewing, and looking, and it’s a long, slow process. I just haven’t figured out yet how to tell people that I’m OK with that. Everyone assumes that I must be anxious about it. Most people I talk to about it seem more anxious than I am about my job prospects. They want me to get a job, and they want it to happen yesterday. They want to hear the play-by-play of my latest interviews, and tell me about such-and-such church that’s looking for someone. I’m really not that anxious about it. Yes, I want to work in a church. I want a church; I want the chance to get to know a congregation and stay there and preach every Sunday. I want to experience church in all the ways pastors do that interns don’t, the … [Read more...]

Guest commentary by Lara Hauser I was recently invited to give the charge to the congregation at the installation of a dear friend at his new call. I was honored, but a little surprised he asked. You see, I have been to a lot of installations, certainly more than your average church-goer, and in my experience, the person giving this charge is usually a pastor, or an elder, perhaps a PNC (pastor nominating committee) member or part of the presbytery commission. I am none of those things, but perhaps having been to a lot of installations was my qualification. Briefly, here are my bona fides: I have been a PK (preacher’s kid), PW (pastor’s wife), PS (pastor’s sister), PSIL (pastor’s sister-in-law) ... and the list of pastors who I count as friends, both in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and in other churches, is quite long. I am in a unique position to talk about loving a pastor. I have both observational and first-hand experience. I know quite a bit about the inner life of … [Read more...]

  Guest commentary by Peggy Hinds Giving ourselves generously and hospitably to others is an essential expression of faith. It has to do with more than giving money. Of course, churches need money to maintain ministry. Financial stewardship is a vital part of living faithful and grateful lives. However, the ways we treat others says more about who a congregation is and who we worship than what we put in the offering plate does. Sometimes the best we can give is our presence. Churches that appreciate presence over finances are better equipped to welcome and assimilate visitors, especially those who walk through the church doors with some skepticism. Consider the welcoming statement of Highland Presbyterian Church in Louisville, Kentucky: “If you are a visitor, we consider your presence with us your offering and we are thankful for your presence.” Members of this particular congregation are encouraged to support the mission and ministry financially, but visitors are not … [Read more...]